MCHD: LITH Beaches Safe to Swim

Indian Trail Beach was closed last week after high levels of Escherichia, or E. coli, were found in water test samples, and Butch Hagele Beach was placed on advisory.

Both beaches since have been cleared for swimming, said Gail Weber, laboratory coordinator for the McHenry County Department of Health.

“E  coli is naturally occurring in lakes just from geese and other factors,” Weber said. “But Indian Trail and (Butch Hagele) beaches are on a lake that has storm-water basins flowing into the lake.”

Neither LITH beaches were officially open for swimming when the advisory and closure was issued. Indian Trail will open Saturday, and Butch Hagele is slated to open June 13.

How E. Coli Levels Are Determined

Weber said water samples must have 125 or less of colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water to be considered safe for swimming. Samples with 126 to 234 CFU require swimming water to be placed on advisory. A sample of 235-plus necessitates closing the swimming area.

Last week, original samples on May 26 at Indian Trail Beach resulted in a CFU count of 345 in the shallow water, and 579 in the deep water. By May 28, those samples dropped to 87 CFU in the shallow water, and 55 in the deep portion, Weber said.

E. coli live in the digestive system of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They are found in sewage and other wastewater. Most E. coli strains are not harmful, but some are, according to the MCHD.

If swallowed by swimmers, the bacteria can cause gastroenteritis illnesses with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain.

MCHD Tests Every Two Weeks

The McHenry County Health Department tests the 13 lakes in the county every two weeks throughout the summer to determine water quality.

Additional and more frequent samples are taken when elevated bacterial levels are found. Bacteria levels typically rise after a strong rain, when runoff water pushes the bacteria from area streams and yards into the lakes.

The McHenry County Health Department recommends people refrain from swimming for two to three days after heavy rainfall, according to the MCHD website. Any beach that is closed or placed on advisory is listed on the MCHD webpage.