Keeping Your Family Safe

Beach Monitoring

During summer months we conduct E. Coli testing at nine Grand Traverse area beaches. This testing is performed in partnership with the City of Traverse City, The Grand Traverse County Health Department, and the Benzie-Leelanau District Heath Department. Testing occurs every Wednesday through early September. Signs are posted during testing. The beaches we test are:

• West End Beach
• Bryant Park
• Clinch Park
• Milliken (East Bay) Park
• Traverse City State Park
• Empire Village Beach
• Northport Park
• Suttons Bay Park
• Frankfort Beach

Weekly results are posted on the state’s beach monitoring database.

Advisory System

Results for Traverse City beaches are posted on signs at beaches by the Grand Traverse County Health Department.  Results are also available at the Health Department’s web site.  Here’s how the advisory system works:

• Level 1: No tag–E. Coli levels meet MDEQ swimming standards for full body contact
• Level 2: Yellow tag–E. Coli levels meet MDEQ standards for wading, fishing and boating. Contact above the waist is not advised
• Level 3: Reg tag–E. Coli levels exceed MDEQ standards; no body contact is advised
• Level 4: Reg tag Health Alert–Excessive E. Coli levels and/or known gross contamination; avoid any kind of contact with beach waters

When any Level 2 or higher index is issued, the affected surface waters will be sampled and monitored until contamination levels return to acceptable levels.

Ordinances and Public Education

We work closely with the City of Traverse City, Elmwood Township and East Bay Township to adopt and enforce ordinances that prohibit feeding waterfowl and require pet owners to pick up their pet’s waste in public areas adjacent to waterways. The City of Traverse City adopted an ordinance in spring 2008 that prohibits feeding waterfowl.

Such ordinances will help minimize the flow of E. Coli into Grand Traverse Bay. A study conducted by the Watershed Center and the U.S. Geological Survey in 2001 found that bird droppings and stormwater runoff are likely sources of E. Coli in Grand Traverse Bay.

We also work with local governments to install signs and pet waste bag dispensers along public parks, beaches and trails, complete with information cards.

The Watershed Center is also airs public service announcements on local radio stations. When people understand that their positive actions can have positive effects, it benefits water quality and public health.

We also examine marina and street cleaning practices to determine if better management practices and technologies are available to decrease the amount of contaminants entering the runoff drains and subsequently Grand Traverse Bay.

Sanitary Survey

An in-depth sanitary survey of Traverse City’s stormwater system inventory will determine any illegal outfalls into the Bay or the Boardman River. All pipes draining into the Boardman will be located, upstream sources will be identified, and remedial action will be taken if necessary.

A source tracking study will test for E. Coli and other contaminants from farther upstream to identify whether any illegal sewer hookups are draining to the stormwater system. DNA testing may be utilized to determine the presence of any human sources, including chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Healthy Beach Tips

Here are some handy dandy Healthy Beaches tips to keep our beaches safe from E. Coli bacteria:

• Don’t feed waterfowl; politely discourage tourists from doing so. Traverse City has adopted an ordinance prohibiting feeding waterfowl.
• Place litter in trash cans.  Hear more about How You Can Help.
• Clean up after Fido, and dispose pet waste in trash.  Hear More.
• Discourage children from playing in any algae, because it can stir up E. Coli bacteria hiding there.
• Discharge boat and RV waste only at approved disposal sites.  Hear More.
• Properly operate and maintain your septic system.
• Properly dispose of automotive fluids and hazardous household waste during your community’s scheduled collection days; don’t dump them on the ground or into a storm drain

Please share these tips with your out-of-town guests. When we all chip in, our reward is Healthy Beaches!