Swimmers can become ill from coming into contact with pathogens associated with E. Coli, such as salmonella and giardia.  East Bay is on the state's list of impaired waterways due to high levels of E. Coli.

Fortunately, the Watershed Center has launched a Healthy Beaches campaign to reduce these pathogens and related beach advisories for Grand Traverse Bay.  Addressing this issue is vital to protect human health and our local economy. 

Thanks to grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Biederman Foundation and private donors, this plan will help determine the sources of E. Coli at area beaches and implement steps to reduce this contamination.

Check out our Healthy Beaches blog page! 

Results for Traverse City beaches are also available to the public via a new advisory system instituted in summer 2008 by the Grand Traverse County Health Department.  "This new advisory system will allow us to better convey current conditions at area beaches to the public.  Instead of just issuing a general advisory when bacteria levels are elevtated, the Health Department will post a water quality index on a scale of 1 to 4 each week, depending on the severity of the contamination," says Sarah U'Ren, Watershed Center Program Director.

The advisory system will be posted on signs at beaches.  It's also available at www.gtchd.org.

Here's how the advisory system works: 

• Level 1:  No tag--E. Coli levels meet MDEQ swimming standards for full body contact
• Level 2:  Yellow tag--E. Coli levels meet MDEQ standards for wading, fishing and boating.  Contact above the waist is not advised 
• Level 3:  Reg tag--E. Coli levels exceed MDEQ standards; no body contact is advised
• Level 4:  Reg tag Health Alert--Excessive E. Coli levels and/or known gross contamination; avoid any kind of contact with beach waters

"The yellow caution signs will indicate that contact above the waist at the beach is not advised.  However, you can still enjoy wading, fishing, boating and other beach activities like sunbathing and beach walking," says Thomas Buss, Director of Environmental Health for the Grand Traverse County Health Department.  "For a Level 3 or 4 contamination, red advisory signs will be placed at the beaches cautioning people to avoid all contact with the water.  This includes swimming and wading.  However, other recreational beach activities will still be possible," he says.   

When any Level 2 or higher index is issued, the affected surface waters will be sampled and monitored until contamination levels return to acceptable levels.    

We work closely with the City of Traverse City, Elmwood Township and East Bay Township to adopt and enforce ordinances that prohibit feeding waterfowl and require pet owners to pick up their pet's waste in public areas adjacent to waterways.  The City of Traverse City adopted an ordinance in spring 2008 that prohibits feeding waterfowl.

Such ordinances will help minimize the flow of E. Coli into Grand Traverse Bay.  A study conducted by the Watershed Center and the U.S. Geological Survey in 2001 found that bird droppings and stormwater runoff are likely sources of E. Coli in Grand Traverse Bay.

We are also working with local governments to install signs and pet waste bag dispensers along public parks, beaches and trails, complete with information cards. 

The Watershed Center is also airing public service announcements on local radio stations.  When people understand that their positive actions can have positive effects, it benefits water quality and public health.    

We are also examining marina and street cleaning practices to determine if better management practices and technologies are available to decrease the amount of contaminants entering the stormwater system and subsequently Grand Traverse Bay. 

An in-depth sanitary survey of Traverse City's stormwater system inventory will determine any illegal outfalls into the Bay or the Boardman River.  All pipes draining into the Boardman will be located, upstream sources will be identified, and remedial action will be taken if necessary.   

A source tracking study will test for E. Coli and other contaminants from farther upstream to identify whether any illegal sewer hookups are draining to the stormwater system.  DNA testing may be utilized to determine the presence of any human sources, including chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Our analysis of rapidly evolving stormwater technologies is ongoing.  The City of Traverse city significantly invested in stormwater controls in summer 2007.  The Watershed Center received state funds to install seven oil and grit seperators; these funds were matched by the City.  

We are analyzing whether anti-microbial sponges for the sperators would reduce bacteria.  We are assessing whether new technologies would be effective for local applications.  One effective stormwater control implemented by the City of Racine in Wisconsin reduced bacteria in effluent water by 66%, significantly reducing advisories.  

Once newer technologies are proven effective, they should be implemented in Traverse City and bordering townships.  Traverse City's recent demonstration projects cost from $50,000 to $80,000 each.  There are approximately 100 stormwater outfalls in the city, making a total cost of $5 million to $8 million.      

We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the Healthy Beaches campaign plan.  We want it to be the best campaign possible to protect the water quality that our region depends upon.  We want our children to be able to splash around in the Bay without giving it a second thought!

Here are some handy dandy Healthy Beaches tips to keep our beaches safe from E. Coli bacteria:

• Don’t feed waterfowl; politely discourage tourists from doing so.  Traverse City has adopted an ordinance prohibiting feeding waterfowl. 
• Place litter in trash cans. 
• Clean up after Fido, and dispose pet waste in trash.
• Discourage children from playing in any algae, because it can stir up E. Coli bacteria hiding there. 
• Discharge boat and RV waste only at approved disposal sites. 
• Properly operate and maintain your septic system.
• Properly dispose of automotive fluids and hazardous household waste during your community’s scheduled collection days; don’t dump them on the ground or into a storm drain

Please share these tips with your out-of-town guests.  When we all chip in, our reward is Healthy Beaches!