New Pilot Research Expands Seaside Monitoring Efforts in Dane County

This summer season, Public Health Madison & Dane County and Clean Lakes Alliance are teaming up on a brand new pilot research to higher perceive what causes E.coli ranges to extend throughout the Yahara chain of lakes. 

“In addition to our common seaside monitoring efforts, we’ll accumulate water samples proper after heavy rains, when micro organism usually improve. The objective is to assist us higher perceive the sources of contamination, so we are able to work towards proactive options,” said Jennifer Lavender Braun, Environmental Health Scientist for Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Every week during the summer, Public Health Environmental Protection staff sample water at more than two dozen Dane County beaches for the presence of E. coli bacteria in the water. 

“We focus primarily on E. coli because it’s the best indicator if there are germs in the water that can make you sick,” stated Lavender Braun. “We want to make sure everyone has access to clean, safe beaches and make the community aware when those conditions change.”

Staff additionally monitor for blue-green algae blooms as a result of they are often poisonous to individuals and animals. Blooms could look blue-green, inexperienced, reddish-purple, or brown, and trigger the water to be murky.

“Conditions can change rapidly, and blue-green algae can develop quick. We’re asking swimmers to be on alert and if you happen to discover the water seems like ‘pea soup’, inexperienced or blue paint, or has a scum layer on the floor, it may very well be dangerous, so please keep away from swimming in that water,” said Lavender Braun.

It’s easy to stay informed about beach conditions this summer:

• Sign up for email alerts. Subscribe to receive daily email updates about beach conditions.
• Check the website. Staff update the Public Health website when there are any changes in the status of a beach, due to unsafe swimming conditions.
• Look for the signs. Signs are posted at the beach indicating it is closed for swimming.

Report a blue-green algae bloom or sickness to the Wisconsin Harmful Algal Blooms Program (WI DHS) or contact Public Health at 608-243-0357 or e mail lab@publichealthmdc.com.