GAYLORD — Three local health departments are collaborating to test local beaches for contamination and waterborne disease, including E. Coli.

    The Health Department of Northwest Michigan, District Health Department No. 2 and District Health Department  No. 4 recently began testing water from 67 local beaches covering Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

Samples are taken weekly and sent to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s laboratory in Gaylord for testing.

    “With the laboratory located within our district and centrally located in Northern Michigan, we can get test results very quickly, instead of waiting a day or two to get results back from the state or private laboratory,” said Scott Kendzierski, director of Environmental Health for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, who is responsible for the lab operations. “Fast turnaround can help our agency respond quickly to poor water quality and can significantly shorten the time a beach is closed.”

The collaborative efforts will result in posted public health advisories and closures at the beaches when lake waters are unsafe. If a health department closes a beach, samples of lake water are tested daily until it is safe for swimming and can be reopened.

    The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is mandated by the Michigan Public Health Code to promote wellness; prevent disease; provide quality health care; address health problems of vulnerable populations; and protect the environment for the residents and visitors of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties.

    If you have concerns about local water quality, report them to your local health department office. For additional information about beach monitoring results, visit www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/public.

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