Sprol

Did you know that every eight months approximately 11 millions gallons of oil run, leak, and ooze off America’s countless roads and driveways into the nation’s waters?

Eleven millions gallons is hard to imagine but it is equivalent to the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill roughly every time Ben Stiller has appeared in a new movie since 1990. If you went to the movies at all in 2004 you know that our environment is in big trouble.

Unfortunately, oil is not the only pollutants that are consistently present in America’s waterways. Bacterial microorganisms, such as E. coli, can also be found swimming in the water right along with the rest of us. And, you might think that as long as you are not in the water you will be safe from the dangerous, infectious bacteria; however, the nasty E. coli microbes are also found on these same sandy freshwater beaches.

What does this mean for those of us who enjoy playing on the beaches and taking a cool dip in the waters off Chicago’s popular shoreline?

For one thing, you will probably be seeing many more “Beach Closed” or “No Swimming” or even “Swim At You Own Risk” signs popping up along some of your favorite beaches. Just recently, while experiencing this year’s most stifling temperatures, many of the Chicago area beach goers were turned away due to high levels of bacteria.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council’s annual report released on July 28, 2005, there were 790 closing days in 2004. This is just about double the number of Illinois Lake Michigan beach closings seen in 2003. Some of Chicago’s most popular beaches (including 12th Street, Montrose, North Avenue, and Loyola) accounted for approximately half of the beach closing day increase in 2004.

In 2003, 12th Street Beach experienced only five pollution-related closings; however, in 2004, this beach was closed for 42 days. Montrose Beach was never closed in 2003. In 2004, however Montrose Beach was closed due to high levels of hazardous bacteria for 25 days. These numbers clearly illustrate Lake Michigan’s persistent and apparently growing water pollution problem.

All of the closing days at Illinois Lake Michigan beaches in 2004 were prompted by dangerously high levels of bacteria found in the water. The USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has determined that when E. coli levels exceed 235 microorganisms (Colony Forming Unit or CFU) per 100 mL of water, there will be an increased health risk for people – that means you and me! Once these elevated bacterial levels are detected, a recreational water quality advisory should be issued to either limit or prevent human exposure to the identified disease-carrying bacteria. The nasty bacteria, E. coli, found in the waters along Michigan’s beaches were all found to contain the same thing – human and/or animal waste.

Now for the BIG question: Where is all of this bacteria coming from?

The answer does not appear to be an easy one as there could be several contributing sources. The polluting wastes are most likely coming from leaky sewage systems, improperly treated sewage, bacteria-contaminated storm water runoff, polluted groundwater seepage, and even gull droppings.

Despite the source or sources, E. coli bacteria are being detected on the beaches and in the water of many of Chicago’s public beaches. And, it is of interest to note, that the E. coli found in the water and on the beaches is not the same strain that has been found in some fast food restaurants’ hamburgers. The type of E. coli found in and around Lake Michigan is actually the same bacteria found in the fecal matter of humans and all other warm-blooded animals. Consequently, the ingestion of or full immersion in this particular type of bacteria-tainted water can make us sick.

When the bacterial microorganisms come in contact with a body’s mucous membranes, such as the linings of the nose, mouth, and eyelids, the harmful E. coli bacteria can begin to bring on illness. The bacteria can cause a wide variety of illnesses ranging from gastroenteritis, hepatitis, dysentery, respiratory ailments, as well as ear, nose, and throat problems. All of these illnesses and their accompanying symptoms (gastrointestinal flu-like symptoms) pose an even greater problem for children and pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone who has a compromised or weakened immune system.

Just imagine taking your kids swimming in shark infested water – You probably would not do that, right? Well, these tiny, infectious, germ-infested microorganisms might not be sharks, but they can still pack quite a punch; and, they have been swimming right along with many of us. As it happened, in the movie Jaws, when Chief Brodie yelled “GET OUT OF THE WATER!” we are now seeing “NO SWIMMING” signs go up along Chicago’s coastline. But, what’s being down about the problem? If you remember, even in Jaws they found a way to kill the shark.

This year, 2005, marks the first time, the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) reviewed and analyzed information showing how often all of the Great Lakes beaches have been in violation of current bacteria standards.

These standards are imperative and have been designed to protect all who utilize the waters of the Great Lakes. As it turns out, the vast majority of Great Lakes beaches in Michigan rarely violate public health standards; however, a few beaches on Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline and Lake Erie’s Ohio shoreline reportedly violate bacteria standards quite frequently.

Overall, a few of the bad apples appear to be found in six Wisconsin counties as well as in two Ohio counties. The data indicates that these eight counties violated safe bacteria standards for at least 20 percent of the water samples taken. 20 percent might not seem like a huge number, but when you consider what we end up swimming with, accidentally ingesting, and playing in, it’s a lot.

According to the state’s commerce department, in 2003, in Illinois alone, coastal tourism generated $23 billion and 298,670 jobs. It seems, however, that Illinois’ “beachonomics” would be even more robust if several of the most popular communities did not have to close their beaches due to imminent and recurring pollution. According to a study cited in the NRDC’s recent report, closing a beach along the Lake Michigan coast could result in an economic loss of roughly $37,000 per day.

With an increase in closings and advisories at Illinois Lake Michigan beaches, primarily at beaches in Cook County, the economic impact could likely be significant if the pollution persists or advances. In Cook County alone, the number of beaches monitored and the rate of monitoring remained the same in 2003 and 2004. This obviously suggests that Lake Michigan beach water pollution problems are getting worse, definitely not better.

Some have put forward the theory that the increased levels of bacteria found in Lake Michigan and on its coastal beaches may have something to do with the large number of gulls that frequent the beaches. The amount of gull droppings found on the beaches is considerable and only adds to the already-present E. coli bacteria. Certainly this is easier than saying that the problem obviously comes out of people’s behinds.

There are, of course, several ways that the nasty E. coli microbes and other bacteria and protozoa find their way into the water and onto the sandy Lake Michigan shoreline. Water currents, water temperature, existence of different types of algae, wind direction, sewage overflow, rainfall runoff, as well as human waste being leaked or dumped from boats are all factors that affect the levels of dangerous bacteria and other pollutants in Lake Michigan.

So, don’t blame it on the gulls. They are doing what comes naturally. It is our job, mine and yours, to make sure that the vast Lake Michigan resource is properly managed and cleaned up in order to prevent further pollutants from contaminating the beaches. With proper land and water management, legislation, and public involvement and education, the beaches of Lake Michigan can be cleaned up and maintained for everyone to enjoy now and for future generations.