Health Department Urges Lake County Residents to Swim Safely

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LCHD 2017




For Immediate Release
Date: May 25, 2018
Contact: Hannah Goering
hgoering@lakecountyil.gov
(847) 377-8099

Health Department Urges Lake County Residents to Swim Safely

Waukegan, Ill. – Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, May 21-27, 2018, is observed the week before Memorial Day, which marks the unofficial start of swimming season. This year’s theme is “Swim Healthy. Stay Healthy.” Take action to protect yourself from illness and prevent the spread of germs when swimming. And before you head out to your favorite lake or beach, make sure to check and see if it is open for swimming.

“Swimming is a great way for Lake County residents to exercise and cool off in the summer,” said Mark Pfister, Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center Executive Director. “Whether swimming at your local pool or enjoying family time on your favorite beach, residents need to do their part to help prevent recreational water illnesses.”

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs/spas, water playgrounds or fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs can also be caused by chemicals. Diarrhea is the most common RWI. 

Here are ways to protect yourself from illness at pools and water parks:

  • Don’t swim or let your children swim when sick with diarrhea.
  • Don’t swallow the water.
  • Check out the pool’s latest inspection report and do your own mini-inspection (check that you can see the pool drain, locate the lifeguard on duty, and locate safety equipment that is available).
  • Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes.
  • Check diapers every 30–60 minutes and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–not waterside–to keep germs away from the water.
  • Shower before you enter the water.

The Health Department monitors lake water for bacteria in over 100 Lake Michigan and inland lake beaches to ensure that the water is acceptable for swimming. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, beach closure information can be found on the Health Department’s Beach Advisory web page, http://www.lakecountyil.gov/2385/Beach-Advisory, which is updated daily by 10:00 a.m.

“When our water sampling tests indicate a high bacteria count, a swim ban is issued to keep people out of the water until the water quality improves,” said Mike Adam, senior biologist with the Health Department. “High bacteria counts may be caused by storm water runoff, sewage overflow, nearby septic failure, or large quantities of droppings from geese or seagulls.”

Follow these tips to avoid hazards when swimming in our lakes this summer:

  • Before heading to your favorite lake, check if the beach is open on the Health Department website. If a swim ban is in place, do not swim in the lake.
  • Avoid swimming in lakes after a large rain event, since rainfall can wash pollutants into lakes resulting in elevated bacteria levels.
  • On Lake Michigan, don’t swim during times of heavy surf (i.e., high waves), which can overpower even the strongest swimmer. 
  • On inland lakes, occasional harmful algae blooms may occur. Avoid areas where the water has a green or blue-green appearance. Report any algae blooms to the Health Department.

Throughout the summer, the Health Department samples 10 beaches along Lake Michigan four days per week:

  • North Point Marina Beach Winthrop Harbor
  • Illinois Beach State Park North Beach Zion
  • Illinois Beach State Park South Beach Zion
  • Illinois Beach State Park Resort Beach Zion
  • Waukegan North Beach Waukegan
  • Waukegan South Beach Waukegan
  • Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach Lake Bluff
  • Forest Park Beach Lake Forest
  • Park Avenue Beach Highland Park
  • Rosewood Beach Highland Park

The Health Department also samples Moraine Dog Beach in Highland Park and Lake Bluff Dog Beach once a week.

Test samples taken from Lake County beaches indicate bacteria levels exceeding water quality standards approximately 10 percent of the time. When bacteria levels are high, the Health Department notifies the beach’s manager and signs are posted indicating a swim ban is in place. Water samples are taken daily until the bacteria levels fall below the standard.

For more information on beach monitoring, please call Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Services at: (847) 377-8020.

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LCHD logo 2017

Lake County Health Department
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
(847) 377-8000