Report identifies WNY seashores that exceeded micro organism contamination ranges

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There’s nothing like a cool dip into the lake on a sizzling summer season day, however are you fascinated about the micro organism which might be floating alongside WNY seashores?

An environmental watchdog group is sounding the alarm on water high quality, saying there are sometimes unsafe micro organism ranges at Buffalo space seashores.

WATCH: ‘Safe for Swimming?’ report identifies WNY seashores that exceeded micro organism contamination ranges

‘Safe for Swimming?’ report identifies WNY seashores that exceeded micro organism contamination ranges

“I said there’s probably so many parasites in this water right now, I don’t want to be in it,” Bella Sherman, a beachgoer at Woodlawn Beach in Blasdell, said.

David Masur from Environment New York was at Woodlawn Beach on Wednesday after the release of Environment New York’s “Safe for Swimming?” report. He discussed research about polluted waters that make swimmers sick.

The organization looked at more than 335 New York beaches, finding fecal matter and other pathogens in the water.

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“Now, let’s just say, swimming in poopy water is just plain gross,” Masur said.

This research is bad news for beaches along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and “exceeded the safety threshold” at least one day last year. At Woodlawn last year, there were 37 days of high bacteria levels – the highest in the state.

“Sadly, close by Hamburg Beach did not fare a lot better, rating third within the state for the variety of probably unsafe days in 2024,” Masur stated.

He referred to as the outcomes “alarming.”

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“How does this natural bacteria get into our water at our beaches? Runoff pollution and sewage overflows are key culprits in most places,” explained Masur. “When our communities are covered with asphalt and concrete, stormwater has nowhere to go. Heavy rain picks up all of the waste on the surface and runs it into nearby waterways or directly into lakes, and that massive flow of stormwater can also overload sewage treatment plants, resulting in the release of raw or partially treated sewage into our waters.”

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There was no excessive micro organism warning for beachgoers Wednesday at Woodlawn, and people I talked to advised me they do look ahead to postings.

“I don’t go in it when they say it, so, yeah, I love it here,” said Sue.

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Experts estimate that 57 million Americans contract sicknesses from unsafe seashore water annually.

“I honestly never really go in,” Olga stated. “I’m kind of afraid of water anyway, especially if it’s not safe, then no – I’ll get my feet wet.”

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A household medical doctor was additionally at Woodlawn on Wednesday with issues about swimming in contaminated water. Dr. Sam Moore stated it might probably particularly be dangerous for teenagers.

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“You just got to keep tabs on your child’s exposures,” Moore stated. “If they take a big gulp of that beach water, I think you’ve got to monitor them closely for the rest of that day, make sure they’re staying hydrated.”

Bella Sherman of Lockport was keeping a close eye on her six-year-old sister.

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“She wants to go under the water, and I’m like no, and she gets all disappointed,” Sherman said.

Olcott Beach along Lake Ontario is closed this week due to high bacteria levels, making it unsafe to swim.

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Congress handed the Clean Water Act greater than 50 years in the past to create secure waterways for swimming, however Masur stated now New York leaders should step as much as the plate and decide to conserving the micro organism out of lake waters.

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“This is an issue we are able to remedy,”Masur said. “Look, we now have the know-how at the moment. We put a person on the moon 60 years in the past; we should always be capable to be certain that our seashores are secure for swimming on daily basis. This is a solvable downside, and it must be a funding precedence for state, county, and native officers in addition to the federal authorities.”

You can find the full report here.

You can name space seashores to test on the standing earlier than you head out:

• Beaver Island State Park: 716-773-3271
• Bennett Beach: 716-947-5660
• Evangola State Park: 716-549-1802 (Monday–Friday), 716-549-1050 (Saturday-Sunday)
• Evans Town Park Beach: 716-549-0970
• Hamburg Beach: 716-646-5145 (m-f); 716-648-1817 (Sat, Sun & holidays)
• Lake Erie Beach: 716-549-0970
• Woodlawn Beach State Park: 716-826-1930