June 27, 2006

As part of National Clean Beaches Week, June 29 through July 5, Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester is encouraging Michigan residents to learn about the local water quality before visiting the beach this summer.

Michigan has pristine beaches across the state that provide recreational opportunities to Michigan’s families and visitors, and DEQ efforts are keeping the beaches clean, and ensuring that the water is safe.

The DEQ provides technical assistance support to local health departments for beach monitoring activities and over $1.75 million of state and federal funds have been distributed to the local health departments to assist with these programs since 2000. This funding has allowed health departments to monitor approximately 400 public beaches for E. coli during the summer months.

E. coli test results are reported on a beach monitoring Web site that is maintained by the DEQ which allows the public to review the history of water quality at their favorite beaches. They can also determine whether a beach is closed, or a swimming advisory has been issued, due to elevated E. coli levels.

The DEQ’s beach monitoring website is available at http://www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/public/default.aspx.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised June 27, 2006 by Pat Watson