MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2023

MEDIA CONTACTS
Matt Allen, Environmental Health Supervisor, 616-393-5635, mallen@miottawa.org
Spencer Ballard, Environmental Health Manager, 616-393-5631, sballard@miottawa.org

No Body Contact Advisory Issued for
North Beach Park Due to High Levels of Bacteria

(HOLLAND, MI) - A No Body Contact Advisory has been issued for North Beach Park in Ferrysburg in Ottawa County. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) conducted routine sampling of the E. coli levels at North Beach Park on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and the sample results showed high levels of E. coli present in the beach water. The elevated levels of E. coli appear to be related to the dredging operations that are ongoing near this location.

This advisory is effective immediately and will be lifted when water samples show acceptable water quality. The public should avoid body contact of any kind with these waters until this advisory is lifted.

Individuals with questions or concerns regarding public beach water sampling, or those who believe they may have become ill after swimming in the impacted waters, should call the OCDPH at 616-393-5645 during normal business hours, or visit miottawa.org/ochd and click the red “report a concern” button.

More information about surface water quality in Ottawa County is available at miottawa.org/beachwatch.

For the most updated information on public beaches, as well as a listing of water sample results, please visit the Michigan BeachGuard website at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach.

Ottawa County Department of Public Health
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health works with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health. OCDPH’s vision is healthy people. For more information, visit miottawa.org/mihealth. Follow OCDPH on Facebook @miOttawaHealth, Instagram @miOCDPH or Twitter @miOCDPH

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