FeedsBacteria closes beach
Belleville Lake beach is closed indefinitely because of a high bacteria count.
According to the Wayne County Department of Public Health, the closure notice for the public bathing beach at Belleville Lake in Van Buren Township had water sample results that surpassed the water quality standards.
“Surface samples taken this week indicated that the water exceeds the Michigan Public Health Code for E. Coli bacteria,” said Loretta V. Davis, a director and health officer for the Wayne County Department of Public Health. “Public swimming and full body contact with the water at Belleville Lake should not take place until further notice.”
Dan Swallow, deputy director of planning and economic development for Van Buren Township, said they have not discovered any new sources for the bacteria, but common sources are waterfowl, wildlife, storm water runoff and failing septic systems.
“There’s also an outside chance of an illegal or illicit discharge, but nothing has been discovered to date,” he said. “The warm, still weather appears to be a contributing factor by creating an environment favorable for bacteria growth.”
Swallow said the beach is closed until the county health department determines it is safe for full-body activities, like swimming, which will be based on the bacteria counts in the water samples that are taken two times per week.
“This advising is unique because it appears that other near-shore locations around Belleville Lake also showed high bacteria counts,” said Swallow. “We are still looking for possible sources and the township has our environmental consultants doing additional sampling around the lake.”
Water quality standards for samples collected recently at the Pier Park, Crescent Sail Club, Blue Heron, Silver Spring, Crosswinds Marsh and Newburg Lake recreational areas were all within acceptable limits for public bathing, according to the county health department.
Belleville Lake beach was closed a few times in 2006 for other cases of high bacteria counts. The county health department also issued one advisory this year, as well.
“This actually occurs infrequently on Belleville Lake,” said Swallow. “We have been looking at ways to better manage the waterfowl that like to rest at the beach area. Park staff has been actively scaring waterfowl away and cleaning-up after them on a regular basis. Some other municipalities and parks have used noisemakers, dogs and plastic predators.”
The public will be notified when the beach re-opens, officials said.
Detailed beach water sample results are available on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality website at www.michigan.gov/deq.
For more information, contact the Wayne County Environmental Health Department at (734) 727-7400 or the Van Buren Environmental Department at (734) 699-8913.
