LAKE ERIE
LAKE WIDE
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Lake Erie Lake wide Management Plan (LaMP)
Technical Report Series
Recreational Water Quality Impairments
(Bacterial Levels and Beach Postings)
Beth Kwavnick and Joyce Mortimer
October 1999
Lake Erie LaMP Technical Report No. 12

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NOTE TO THE READER:
This technical report was prepared as one component of Stage 1, or "Problem
Definition", for the Lake Erie LaMP. This report includes detailed technical and
background information that provides the basis for the impairment conclusions recorded
in the Lake Erie LaMP Status Report.
This document has been extensively reviewed, both by the government agencies that are
partnering to produce the LaMP, and the Lake Erie LaMP Public Forum, a group of
approximately 80 citizen volunteers. This review was designed to answer two questions:
•	Is the document technically sound and defensible?
•	Do the reviewers agree with the document conclusions?
In its present form, this report has been revised to address the comments received during
that review process, and there is consensus agreement with the impairment conclusions
presented.
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The author gratefully acknowledges the data contributions of the following
individuals:
Stephanie Berry - Consultant, Health Canada
Dick Draper - New York Department of Environmental Conservation
MarkElster-U.S. EPA
Todd Howell - Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy
Don Killinger - Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Ohio
Lauren Lambert - Ohio EPA, Co-Chair, BUIA Subcommittee
Joyce Mortimer - Health Canada
Bob Sweet - Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Lake Erie Public Forum contributors:
Tim Bendig - Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
Keith Linn - Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
John Taylor - Elgin St.Thomas Health Unit
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12.1	Listing Criteria
Annex 1 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) states that:
"Waters used for body contact recreation activities should be substantially free from
bacteria, fungi, or viruses that may produce enteric disorders or eye, ear, nose, throat
and skin infections or other human diseases and infections" (International Joint
Commission, 1994).
Annex 2 of the GLWQA lists "beach closings" as a beneficial use impairment related to
recreational waters. According to the International Joint Commission (IJC), a beach
closing impairment occurs "when waters, which are commonly used for total body
contact or partial body contact recreation, exceed standards, objectives, or guidelines for
such use" (IJC, 1989).
12.2	Application of the Listing Criteria
Federal, State and Provincial recreational water quality guidelines recommend bacterial
levels below which the risk of human illness is considered to be minimal. For public
beaches, the regional Public Health Units/Health Departments monitor beach water
quality. When contaminant indicator levels in the bathing beach water reach levels that
indicate contaminants may pose a risk to health, public beaches are posted with a sign
warning bathers of these potential health risks.
The primary tool to evaluate beach water quality is the measurement of "indicator
organisms", which indicate the level of bacterial contamination of the water. The
bacterial contamination can come from various sources, and is not necessarily the result
of human contamination. Beaches are part of the ecosystem, and in this way, are not a
"closed" system. Indicator organism threshold levels vary between individual U.S. States
and the Province of Ontario. The two indicator organisms most commonly used to
measure bacterial levels are "fecal coliforms" (comprised of animal and human feces),
and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (the predominant organism in human and animal feces).
High levels of fecal coliforms or E. coli in recreational water are indicative of fecal
contamination and the possible presence of intestinal-disease-causing organisms.
12.3	Scope of Beneficial Use Impairment Assessment
12.3.1 Geographic Scope
The geographic scope of the Lake Erie LaMP beneficial use impairment assessment
(BUIA) includes open lake waters, near shore areas, river mouths and embayments, and
the lake effect zone of Lake Erie tributaries. The lake effect zone is defined as that zone
where the waters of the lake and the tributary river are mixed. Beaches evaluated in this
assessment are limited to those directly along Lake Erie, but sources of impairment will
be considered from all parts of the Lake Erie basin. The Detroit River will be considered
as a source of impairment, but beaches along the Detroit River will not be considered
when assessing impairment.
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12.3.2 Data
The primary tool to evaluate beach water quality from a human health standpoint is the
measurement of indicator organisms (either fecal coliforms or E. coli), which indicate the
level of bacterial contamination in the water. Measurement of indicator organisms can be
used to show trends in recreational water quality, and can also be used as an indicator for
human health (i.e., to estimate human exposure to these contaminants, and the consequent
impacts on human health). Use of jurisdictional bacterial level thresholds give a more
direct indication of human health risks than do beach postings. This is because beaches
can be posted for reasons other than bacterial contamination including presumptive
closings until tests can be completed. Comparisons of bacterial levels can be made with a
numeric guideline to determine exceedances.
Therefore, for the purposes of this assessment, levels of fecal coliforms or E. coli, as
applicable, were plotted against their respective State or Provincial guideline. Guideline
exceedances were used to assess whether beaches were impaired from a human health
standpoint. Accompanying monitoring sheets and beach postings data provided
additional useful information about recreational water quality, including other health
hazards, visual observations, unusual occurrences, and potential sources.
As indicated in the IJC listing criteria, recreational water quality impairment includes
situations where total body contact or partial body contact recreation standards are
exceeded. Therefore, to be complete an assessment needs to evaluate all recreational
water use activities where total or partial body water contact may occur. This includes
primary activities such as swimming, windsurfing and water skiing, and also situations
where swimming may occur in open waters during secondary contact activities, such as
boating and fishing. Hence, this assessment considers both nearshore and open water
activities in its evaluation of impairment.
Bacterial level exceedances above jurisdictional guidelines, regardless of their source
(i.e., human or animal) represent use impairment, regardless of whether the recreationally
used waters are part of a public or private beach monitored swimming area, or open
waters. Data is not available for all private beaches in all the Lake Erie jurisdictions.
Wherever available, data for private beaches has been included in the assessment.
"Further to this, pollution indicator bacteria levels data exist for open waters and
embayments; however, these data are not collected specifically for the purpose of
monitoring recreational use waters. An overview of existing open waters monitoring data
indicates that pollution indicator bacteria levels in Lake Erie open waters are very low
and therefore demonstrate the absence of a significant risk to health. In addition, water
quality monitoring experts feel that, based on the sampling data, levels of pollution
indicator bacteria in recreationally used open waters are not an issue. This is due in large
part to the dilution effect of the large volume of water in these open locations, as well as,
to a lesser extent, die-off of and predation on bacteria (K. Linn, NE Ohio Sewer District,
personal comm; W. Robertson, Health Canada, personal comm). Therefore, limited
open waters data are included in this assessment as an illustration of bacterial levels in
these waters, but a comprehensive listing of these data was not undertaken for this
assessment."
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Since extensive data on beach postings and bacterial levels exist mainly for public
beaches, this preliminary impairment assessment has focused, for the most part, on
bathing beach water quality at public, monitored beaches. A small number of private
beaches have also been included. As new data become available, they will be
incorporated into the assessment.
Data were limited to 1992 onward, for two reasons. In Ontario, the jurisdictional
guideline changed from fecal coliforms to E. coli in 1992. Second, over the past number
of years, communities throughout the Lake Erie basin have been working to remediate
many sources of microbiological contamination; thus, examining earlier data would not
be reflective of these improvements.
12.4 Background to Issue
The major human health concern for recreational waters is microbiological contamination
(bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites). Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion
of polluted water, and can also occur through the entry of water through the ears, eyes,
nose, broken skin, and through contact with the skin. Gastrointestinal disorders and
minor skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections have been associated with microbiological
contamination.
12.4.1 Sources/causes of microbiological contamination
Many sources contribute to microbiological contamination. These include:
•	Heavy rains, causing combined or sanitary sewers to overflow, and direct release of
raw sewage. Metropolitan areas along the lake shore have serious problems with
cross-connections between sanitary and storm sewers, dry weather/wet weather
bypasses, and unsewered residential and commercial areas; failing private, household
and commercial septic systems. It is important to note that simply because bacterial
levels are present, it does not necessarily mean that sewage overflow is a problem;
•	Fecal coliforms in soil that is washed out from heavy rains; animal/pet fecal waste
either on the beach or residentially (washed into storm sewers); wildlife, such as
large populations of seagulls or Canada geese, fouling the beach;
•	Agricultural runoff (e.g. manure);
•	High winds can cause increased wave action that can transport bacteria from
contaminated, non-recreational areas to recreational-use areas. High winds can also
stir up bacteria that are in the sediments. Windsor-Essex reported that a large
proportion of their bacterial exceedances correlated with high wind conditions, which
increased wave action (above), thereby stirring up sediment and/or sweeping bacteria
in from contaminated areas.
•	Calmer waters can slow dispersal (of the bacteria) and create excess concentrations
of bacteria.
•	Direct human contact (e.g. swimmers with illnesses, cuts or sores); number of
swimmers/bathers in the water (more bathers are related to increased bacterial
levels);
•	Hot weather/higher temperatures
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•	Low (shallow) water levels
•	Direct discharges (e.g., overboard discharge from holding tanks of recreational
vessels)
Local sources of bacterial contamination and the extent to which they contribute to
elevated bacterial levels, can help in understanding trends in exceedances and setting
priorities for remediation. However, identifying individual sources of bacterial
contamination is often a difficult process, particularly if there are multiple sources.
Uncharacteristically high bacterial levels near Maumee Bay State Park, Ohio in 1995 led
to an extensive effort to sample and track down all of the potential sources to the area.
Researchers at the University of Toledo began a study in 1996 to identify sources using a
technique for fingerprinting E. coli (Glatzer, 1999). This technique shows promise but
requires further refinement to be a practical tool for source track down in the field.
12.4.2 Beach postings data
The terms "beach posting", "beach closing", and "advisory" are often used
interchangeably, to identify that an advisory sign has been posted at a beach. The sign
contains advice to the recreational water user. In some cases, permanent signs are posted
in areas where it is not possible, for economic reasons or otherwise, to post beaches when
impairments occur. These signs offer advice as to when recreational use should be
avoided. Other signs are posted only when a current hazard exists, such as bacterial
exceedances, and these signs are removed when the hazard is no longer there. These
signs may advise, for example, that bacteria levels may exceed recommended standards
for 24 hours after a heavy rain. Other postings advise swimmers to "Swim at your own
risk". Still others will bluntly state, "Warning - Unsafe for Bathing - High levels of
Bacteria in these Waters may pose a Risk to your Health". Beaches are not usually
physically closed when they are posted, since access to a beach can be difficult to restrict.
Beach postings data can be useful in supplementing information on bacterial levels.
However, because this assessment criterion is based on bacterial levels, extensive beach
postings data is not included.
12.5 Summary of Jurisdictional Criteria Used to Assess Beach Water Quality
Recreational water quality guidelines for individual States and the Province of Ontario
are summarized in Tables 12-1 and 12-2.
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Table 12-1. Jurisdictional Criteria for Measurement of Bacterial Levels in Recreational Waters along Lake Erie: Public
Beaches, Canadian shoreline
Ontario
Who
monitors?
Indicator ()rganism
used
Guideline: bacterial levels
should not exceed:
Method used to calculate bacterial
levels lor each beach *
Posting Criteria
Windsor-
Essex region
Windsor-Essex
Health Unit
E. coli 1992 on
(fecal coliforms
used before 1992)
100 E. coli! 100 ml of
water
Sampled once weekly; geometric
mean+ of a minimum 5 samples taken
from a minimum 5 sampling locations,
for one day.
a)	when E. coli exceedance occurs 2
days in a row, beach is closed
until next weekly sampling
b)	a known hazard exists
c)	durine hieh winds:
Kent-
Chatham
region
Kent-Chatham
Health Unit
E. coli 1992 on
(fecal coliforms
used before 1992)
100 E. coli! 100 ml of
water
Sampled once weekly; geometric
mean of a minimum 5 samples taken
from a minimum 5 sampling locations,
for one day.
a)	Permanent advice sign posted
b)	Posted "beach closed" only under
abnormal circumstances
Elgin-St.
Thomas
region
Elgin-St.
Thomas Health
Unit
E. coli 1992 on
(fecal coliforms
used before 1992)
100 E. colil 100 ml of
water
Sampled once weekly; geometric
mean of a minimum 5 samples taken
from a minimum 5 sampling locations,
for one day.
a) Permanent advice signs posted
Haldimand-
Norfolk
region
Haldimand-
Norfolk Health
Unit
E. coli 1992 on
(fecal coliforms
used before 1992)
100 E. coli! 100 ml of
water
Sampled once weekly. Methods same
as above, but for beaches greater than
1000 metres, geometric means are
taken for every 200 metres of beach
sampled.
a)	A known hazard exists
b)	after heavy rain
c)	during high winds/wave height d)
If E. coli exceedance occurs, re-
sampled immediately, and posted
if 2nd sample shows exceedance;
Niagara
region
Niagara
Regional
Health Unit
E. coli 1992 on
(fecal coliforms
used before 1992)
100 E. coli! 100 ml of
water
Sampled once weekly; geometric
mean of 10 samples over 2 days (5
samples per day, sampling days one
week apart)
a)	A known hazard exists
b)	E. coli exceedance occurs
Health
Canada
Federal
Guidelines

E. coli, as well as a
choice of other
indicators may be
permitted for use.
200 E. coli! 100 ml of
water


*The description listed here is general. A detailed description of posting criteria is identified in "Beach Management Protocol, Water Quality Program". Per the "Beach
Management Protocol", beaches are posted if there is evidence (bacteriological analysis, historical and epidemiological data, or the physical quality of the water) that the beach
water poses a risk to the health of the bathers. "Posting should be considered when the daily geometric mean of the samples from a beach exceeds 100 E. coli per 100 ml water"
(Ontario Ministry of Health, 1992). The "Beach Management Protocol" offers some flexibility in terms of sampling and posting. Sampling may be reduced to once a month if
historic data and pollution surveys indicate water quality has been consistently well within limits set for recreational use. Sampling may be suspended for the season if a sample has
been taken in the current year to verify no change has occurred since the last year. Private beaches are not required to be sampled.
+ geometric mean (GM) GMy — ClTltilog —X log )'
n



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Table 12-2. Jurisdictional Criteria for Measurement of Bacterial Levels in Recreational Waters along Lake Erie: Public
Beaches, U.S. s
loreline
U.S. suites
Who monitors?
Indicator Organism
used
Guideline: bacterial levels should not
exceed:
* method used to calculate bacterial
levels lor each beach
Posting Criteria
Michigan
Monroe County
Health
Department
(Wayne County
Health
Department
monitors
beaches within
Detroit River
RAP)
May use either E.
coli or Fecal
coliforms; Fecal
coliform data
received from
Monroe County
Health Department;
E.coli in process of
becoming the
standard;
Total Body contact=130 E. coli / 100 ml of
water;
MaxE. coli=300 E. coli/100 ml water
Adequate disinfection=200 fecal coliforms /
100 ml of water;
Max Fecal coliform=400 fecal
coliform/lOOml water;
(complete Michigan DEQ guidelines found
in Rule 323.1062, Micro-organisms, known
as Rule 62)
E. coli = geometric mean of all
samples taken during 5 or more
sampling events (min. 3
samples/event) representatively spread
over a 30 day period;
Max allowable E.coli = geometric
mean of min. 3 samples in 1 event;
Fecal coliforms and max = same as
above;
a)	when exceedance
occurs;
b)	re-opened when re-
sampling indicates
no exceedances
Ohio
Ohio Dept. of
Health: Lake,
Ashtabula,
Lorain, Erie,
Lucas, Ottawa,
Cleveland, and
Cuyahoga
County Health
Depts; N.E.
Ohio Regional
Sewer District;
Ohio Dept. of
Natural
Resources for
State Parks
-	E. coli used in
1996
-	before 1996:
Either E. coli or
fecal coliforms
depending on entity
performing sample.
(U.S. EPA also did
selected sampling
studies in Lorain
County (Black
River AOC+) using
fecal coliforms
counts)
-	geometric mean based on not less than 5
samples within a 30-day period shall not
exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water; and
-	shall not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of
water in more than 10% of all samples
taken during any 30-day period,
-geometric mean based on not less than 5
samples within a 30-day period shall not
exceed 200 fecal coliforms / 100 ml of
water; and
-shall not exceed 400 fecal coliforms / 100
ml in more than 10% of all samples taken
during any 30-day period.
-Geometric mean of at least 5 samples
taken within 30 day period;
-Cuyahoga: geometric mean of 5 most
recent samples, regardless of time
period;
-	max: shall not exceed max value in
more than 10% of samples over the 30
day period;
-	Erie County different: has a rating
system based on a weekly bacteria
count.
bacterial levels
exceedances; As per
EPA; Except for Erie
County = 3 "poor" ratings
in 3 weeks results in an
advisory;
Some counties have
advisories after a heavy
rain, based on historical
evidence;
Pennsylvania
Erie County
Department of
Health, PA
Department of
Conservation
and Natural
Resources,
Presque Isle
State Park.
Fecal coliforms;
200 fecal coliforms/100 ml of water on a
30-day running geometric mean (minimum
of 5 consecutive samples)
no one sample over 1,000 fecal coliforms /
100 ml water
sample twice weekly; a series of
comprehensive beach survey studies
have also been conducted, and
sampling occurs more frequently for
the purposes of these surveys; also
precautionary sampling occurs when
visual inspection indicates a substance
or material is present in the bathing
water that may be hazardous to human
health.
1)	When exceedances
occur, signs posted,
guards on duty, proper
announcements to public
2)	predictive closures
occur based on historical
evidence; after heavy
rains; during high winds;
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U.S. suites
Who monitors'?
Indicator Organism
used
Guideline: bacterial levels should not
exceed:
* method used to calculate bacterial
levels lor each beach
Posting Criteria
New York
Chautauqua
County Health
Department;
Erie County
Health
Department
Fecal coliforms
200 fecal coliforms/ 100 ml of water;
2,400 total coliforms/ 100 ml water;
20 fecal strep/ 100 ml water;
Sample according to "New York
Sanitary Code for Bathing Beaches"
(NYS Dept of Health): a logarithmic
mean of2,400 total coliform/100 ml
for 5 or more consecutive samples in
any 30 day period; Chautauqua
County: frequency of monitoring
varies among beaches; weekly,
biweekly, or monthly, depending upon
attendance; Wright Park beach
monitored more frequently because
problematic;
Erie County: samples monthly;
When exceedances, signs
posted, advisories issued
by TV, radio, newspaper;
U.S. EPA
Federal
Guidelines

E. coli
200 E. coli / 100 ml of water


*Each State has detailed guidelines for measurement of bacterial levels and posting of beaches. The basic information is listed in this summary. References for the detailed guidelines
are listed in Section 12.12.
+AOC (Area of Concern)




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12.6 Summary of Exceedances
12.6.1	Method of Data collection
Data was requested from Ontario Public Health units, State Departments (of Health or
Natural Resources), and the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy (information
received is listed in Section 12.12). Requests for existing data included:
•	a beach pollution survey or similar report, either historical, or done at the beginning of
the bathing season, to include information on potential sources of contamination
impacting on the bathing beach area;
•	indicator organism data (E. coli or fecal coliforms, depending on jurisdiction);
•	beach postings data;
•	any additional information on beach conditions on the day of monitoring (rain, winds,
temperature, visibility, etc.)
•	a map identifying beach locations (maps of individual beach locations within Health
Units along the Canadian shoreline available upon request)
12.6.2	Method of Analysis
A list of the number of recreational water quality guideline exceedances, the total number of
samples and the frequency of guideline exceedances by month and year for beaches along the
Canadian shoreline can be obtained from the Health Canada authors of this report.
Appendix A graphs bacterial levels against their respective jurisdictional guideline. Regions
vary as to how they arrive at mean daily bacterial levels values. Tables 12-1 and 12-2
summarize the methodology each region uses to arrive at their bacterial levels values. For
graphing purposes, to compare bacterial levels between regions using the same indicator
organism, raw data was used wherever possible, and the geometric mean of all raw samples
for one single sample day were plotted against the jurisdictional guideline. The Ohio graphs
entitled 'Geometric Means of Fecal Coliform in Ohio Beaches, Lake Erie' and 'Geometric
Mean of Fecal Coliform levels in Private Beaches, Cuyahoga County (Ohio)' reflect the
geometric means of the last five weekly sample days within a 30 day period (with the
exception of Cuyahoga County, which reflects the geometric mean of the last five weekly
sample days).
For regions where there was not enough raw data to plot graphs, summary information was
used to assess whether or not exceedances of the jurisdictional guideline were occurring.
This summary information is reflected in Tables 12-3 and 12-4. Table 12-5 presents a
summary of the bacterial level exceedances. Table 12-6 provides a comparison of beach
closures for beaches at Presque Isle Bay State Park
A database from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy (OMEE, 1995) identifies
total annual beach postings for public beaches on the Canadian shoreline of Lake Erie. These
numbers are summarized in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Permanent beach postings are not reflected as
postings in the OMEE database. However, these beaches are still monitored for bacterial
levels. Bacterial level data for these beaches is graphed in Appendix A, and/or can be
obtained from the individual health units/agencies who monitor the beaches.
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Numerous databases exist that report on the quality of open/offshore waters. As one
example, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District monitors for a range of contaminants,
including bacteriological water quality at selected offshore sites in the Central Basin of Lake
Erie. Table 12-7 summarizes fecal coliform and E. coli data from three of these offshore
sampling sites, for the period 1990 to 1998.
12.6.3 Exceedances
Tables 12-3 and 12-4 give an overview of bacterial levels exceedances, beach postings, and
potential sources of microbiological contamination by region for Lake Erie beaches.
Appendix A graphs bacterial levels by region and by beach for Ontario beaches, for New
York State's Chautauqua County, and for Michigan beaches along Lake Erie. For
Ohio, fecal coliform data were graphed by county, and also by beach for some of the
public and private beaches in Cuyahoga County.
Bacterial level exceedances of respective jurisdictional guidelines occurred in all basins of
Lake Erie. Some beaches, particularly in the Western and Central basins, had exceedances
for upwards of 40% of their measurements per year. Other beaches had only a few or no
exceedances per year. There were very few beaches that were closed permanently, as
indicated in Tables 12-3 and 12-4.
Table 12-7, which summarizes bacterial levels data for three offshore sites in the Lake Erie
Central Basin, is an example of the very low bacterial levels seen in open waters. No
exceedances of the bacterial guidelines were found for these locations.
The bacterial level data available for this assessment seem to indicate the following
(observation only, no statistical analysis):
For the Canadian shoreline when exceedances occur, the Western basin (Windsor-Essex
region) and Central basin (Elgin - St.Thomas region) appear to have higher E. coli values,
sometimes exceeding 600 E. coli 1100ml water. As one moves into the Eastern basin, the
level of E. coli values appears to diminish, often not rising above 200-300 E. co///100ml
water. These are still exceedances of the jurisdictional bacteria criteria, but are not as
high. Some of the Haldimand-Norfolk beaches (easterly portion of Central basin) and
some Niagara beaches (Eastern basin) have no exceedances at all.
The US shoreline summary reports, as well as detailed fecal coliform data from
Michigan, Ohio and New York, confirm that exceedances of the jurisdictional guideline
are occurring in all regions (Table 12-4). In most cases, the reports identified that actions
are taking place to remediate key sources of microbiological contamination. While it is
possible that these actions have resulted in a lower number of exceedances in 1995 and
1996, it is doubtful that the limited data presented in this report are sufficient to conclude
that such trends are occurring. This is especially true given the inconsistency in sampling
methods and the inherent variability of bacterial levels in surface waters.
Most Canadian beaches and many U.S. beaches in each of the Western, Central, and
Eastern basins of Lake Erie, had at least one or more beach postings per year between
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1992 and 1994. To understand any trend in bacterial level exceedances, a closer look
must be taken of the local sources of microbiological contamination and the extent to
which they may be contributing to elevated bacterial levels. These can be found in
Section 12.4.1.
Remediation activities to improve recreational water quality are occurring throughout the
Lake Erie basin. For example, in the Cuyahoga Area of Concern (Ohio), the first phase
of a master plan for combined sewer overflow reduction was released in 1994 and is
entitled the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Areawide, CSO Facilities Plan,
Phase 1 Study. Upstream from the AOC, the city of Akron is working to eliminate a large
portion of its sanitary sewer overflows. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has
retrofitted some of the CSOs near city beaches, which has improved water quality. The
Cuyahoga County Board of Health requires that septic tank owners apply for a permit,
permitting thorough inspection of the county's 16,500 septic systems. This will permit
faulty septic systems to be identified and remediated (adapted from Great Lakes United
Newsletter, Winter 1995-96, p. 13).
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Table 12-3. Bacterial Levels Exceedances in Recreational Waters along Lake Erie: Public Beaches, Canadian shoreline
I.oculion
# beaches
coli guideline
exceeded?
lixlent of Kxceedanee
Sources/Comments
Beaches posted?
Western Basin
Windsor-Essex
region
7 (all
graphed)
yes in 1992 to
1996;
up to 45% of measurements
exceeded guideline;
exceedances up to 600 E.
colil 100ml water; lower
counts in June, higher counts
in July/August; see Appendix
A graphs for details;
E. coli exceedances best correlated with high winds;
visual evidence of combined sewer discharge/ overflow
from Metro Detroit following heavy rain storms; strong
winds that day; heavy rain previous day; cloudy water;
"blobs" in the water; concern that a combination of a
sandbar and low water level were causing an elevated E.
coli count (Kingsville);
yes in 1995, 1994; no in
1993, 1992;
Central Basin
Kent-Chatham
region
14 (all
graphed)
yes, in 1992 to
1995
Up to 27% of measurements
exceeded guideline;
exceedances between 400 and
600
E. colil 100ml water; few
exceedances in 1994;
Rough wave action/turbulence; turbidity, debris; high
winds; drain runoff onto beach; recent moderate/ heavy
rain; stream water running into beach; seagulls; Two
beaches are in Wheatley Harbour AOC;
No; permanently posted
advice signs
Elgin-
St.Thomas
region
6 (all
graphed)
yes in 1995 &
1996; no data
available for
1992-94;
all beaches, up to 45% of all
measurements exceeded
guideline; exceedances up to
between 400 and 600 E.
colil 100ml water
E. coli exceedances; combined sewer overflows following
heavy rain storms; large gull population (Port Stanley
Main); concerns that dredging might be disturbing bacteria
(Port Stanley Little Beach), but testing by Ontario
Ministry of Environment and Energy did not demonstrate
this; agricultural operations, private sewage systems and
sewage effluent discharges are present in the region, but
no evidence to indicate that they are contributing to
bacterial loading of the Lake.
yes in 1995, for 2 of 6
beaches (32 days total)
Eastern Basin
Haldimand-
Norfolk region
Haldimand-
Norfolk region
37 (all
graphed)
yes in 1992 to
1996
About 75%) of beaches; up to
24% of all measurements
exceeded guideline;
Exceedances do not tend to
exceed 300 E. colil 100ml;
Turkey Point and Port Ryerse
posted once each in 1994 due
to exceedances; Inkerman has
constant exceedances, but is
no longer sampled because no
longer considered a public
beach; the Lynn River at Port
Dover had consistent
No major pollution sources identified, except for:
Combined sanitary and storm sewers that overflow after a
heavy rain (Port Dover), presently being rectified, in the
process of separating the 2 systems; droppings from Cliff
swallows nesting last week of June and first week of July
(Sandhills); some speculation that Big Otter Creek may
contribute to E. coli levels at Port Burwell beaches
(Sandhills), but not confirmed; other beaches rurally
located, with no major industry or livestock operations
within vicinity; Other: private system overflow; raw
sewage plume; possibly agricultural runoff in specific
situations; will not sample in rough water (waves over 3
feet);
yes (Sandhills last week of
June and first week of
July); most others remain
"open" for the season;
15

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(continued)


exceedances or borderline,
but no postings;


Niagara region
36 (all
graphed)
yes in 1992 to
1995
15% of all measurements
exceeded guideline; usually
only up to 250 E. cofi/lOOml
water
trouble spots are Sherkston Elco, Sherkston Quarry,
Sherkston Wyldewood- overpopulation resulting in
sewage treatment problems - trying to correct;
yes
Table 12-4. Bacterial Levels Exceedances in Recreational Waters along Lake Erie: Public Beaches, U.S. shoreline
Location
# beaches
Guideline
exceeded?
1 ¦!xlenl of I ¦ xceedance
Sources/Comments
Meaches posted?
Western Basin
Michigan
Monroe
County
2 official
beaches; 2
private
beaches;
yes for 1993,
1994, 1995;
Each public beach posted
once in 1995; Sterling State
Park had exceedances several
times in 1993;
1993 Sterling State Park: possibly due to increased number
of geese at Park; all postings due to fecal coliform
exceedances;
Yes, 1993,1994,1995.
Posted "Closed".
Wayne County
4

no beach postings for 1992-95
within Detroit River Binational RAP.
None, 1992-95
Ohio
Lucas County
2
yes in 1992,
1994, 1995; no in
1993 & 1996
Normally, water quality quite
good; 1995 had more than
normal exceedances due to
hot, dry summer; this trend is
not expected to continue;
Sources:
some relation between fecal coliforms and rainfall;
stormwater runoff; waterfowl; swimmers; sediment
suspension from wave/swimmer action; septic tanks;
sewage treatment plants; combined sewer overflows and
treatment plant bypasses; substantial improvements have
been made to wastewater treatment;
yes in 1992, 1993,1995
Ottawa County
10
yes in 1995 &
1996; no in 1994
frequent, consistent
exceedances in 1995, but not
in 1996.

yes in 1992, 1993, 1994;
16

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Location
# beaches
Guideline
exceeded?
1 Aleut of I ¦ xceedance
Sources/Commenls
Meaches posted?
Central Basin
Ohio (For most counties, posting duration tended to last one week, since sampling only occurred once/week)
Lorain County
4
yes in 1993-
1996; no in 1992
exceedances very infrequent
at Century Beach, more
frequent at Avon Lake &
Lakeview Park; bacterial
levels considered generally
low.
AOC lists nearshore as occasionally impaired; recent
heavy rains, sewer overflows, wash off from pet waste,
farm animals, wildlife, faulty septic tank discharges; in
1994, discharge of raw sewage from Lorain Wastewater
Treatment Plant, after lightning struck a power
transformer; 3 homes had sanitary sewers mistakenly
connected to storm water drainage lines - immediately
fixed; stirred up sediment (bacteria reside in the
sediment);(Black River Rap, Dec.5/95)
advisories issued in 1994;
predictive advisories issued
after heavy rains.
Cuyahoga County
Bay Village
3
no for
1993,1994,1995;
yes in 1996
infrequent exceedances only
at Huntington.
storm water runoff measured at Columbia Road Park
Beach had frequent bacterial levels exceedances, but not
the bathing beach water itself
no
Cleveland City
2
yes in 1992,
1993, 1994; no in
1995 & 1996.
Frequent exceedances in
1992, up to 500 fecal
coliforms/100 ml water; less
frequent and less severe in
1993 and 1994;
recent heavy rains; other sources not specifically listed,
but likely consistent with Cuyahoga County;
yes in 1992, 1993, 1994;
Euclid
7
yes for
1993,1994,1995,
1996
some exceedances at most
beaches

no data
Rocky River
2
no in 1993, 1994,
1995,1996.



Ashtabula
County
5
yes in 1996; no in
1995; yes in
previous years,
but minor;
also for Strong
Brook location
on Lower
Ashtabula River
(not beaches, but
used occasionally
for recreation;)
recreational water not
considered impaired by
Ashtabula AOC; water
quality considered quite good;
some exceedances at one
beach and also in areas that
are not beaches, but may be
used for recreation
occasionally;
Fecal coliform levels were also relatively good in Lower
Ashtabula River, except for Strong Brook location; may be
related to sewage discharge, in which case corrective
action will be taken;
Yes in 1992,1994, no in
1993; Lower Ashtabula
River not a beach;
therefore no postings;
Lake County
6
yes for 1992,
1993,1994,
exceedances very infrequent
in 1993 - 1996, and not much
recent heavy rains; other sources not specifically listed,
but likely consistent with Cuyahoga County;
yes in 1992, 1993, 1994;
17

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1995,1996
above guideline; more
frequent in 1992, and up to
570 fecal coliforms/lOOml
water
but likely consistent with Cuyahoga County;

18

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I .ocalion
# beaches
Guideline
exceeded?
1 Aleut of I ¦ xceedance
Sources/Commenl s
Meaches posled?
Erie County
4
yes in 1992, no in
1993
exceedances very infrequent;
not much above guideline;
specific data was not
available for 1994; focus was
placed on monitoring streams
that enter Lake Erie
recent heavy rains; other sources not specifically listed,
but likely consistent with Cuyahoga County;
yes in 1992, no in 1993,
1994;
Pennsylvania
Presque Isle /
Erie County
29
yes in 1992 -
1996
exceedances not frequent; up
to 10% of measurements;
CSO's, sewage treatment plant discharges, waterfowl,
stirred up sediment, inputs from streams, creeks; heavy
rains; remediation work going on to reduce exceedances;
yes, in 1994 and earlier
years
Eastern Basin
New York (Info now being collected via annual "Testing the Waters" surveys; should improve data collection)
Chautauqua
County
15
yes in 1992, 1993,
1994 and 1995
1 closure, Wright Park Beach,
for 63 days from July 3/95 to
end of season; criteria
exceeded 105 times in 1994,
117 times in 1993, 33 times
in 1992;
For 1995, elevated bacteria levels, undetermined sources;
for other years: raw sewage from surface run-off and/or
sewage discharges from sewage treatment plants; Lake
Erie State Park closed due to insufficient funds;
posted once in 1995 (63
days), twice in 1993 (5
days and 10 days); none in
1992 or 1994, even though
criteria were exceeded;
Erie County
Erie County
(NY)
continued
6 public
beaches
(including
one new one
in 1994-
Lake Erie
Beach);
including
one beach
that closed
in 1994-95
due to
budgetary
problems
(Buffalo
Beach); 30
miles of
public and 8
miles of
yes in 1992(Evans,
Buffalo and
Wendt) yes in
1993	(Evans,
Hamburg), yes in
1994	(Lake Erie
Beach).
Lake Erie Beach had
exceedances a number of
times after a rainfall;
exceedances were few for the
other beaches
beach closure required after any rainfall exceeding 1/4
inch per day due to historical evidence of bacterial
exceedances; bacterial problem at Lake Erie beach
occurred after rainfalls, attributed to creek adjacent to
Beach (Lake Erie Beach Creek)
no in 1992-93, yes in 1994
for Lake Erie Beach
19

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private
beaches




20

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Table 12-5. Percentage of bacterial exceedances per year for Lake Erie beaches " see
comments below
^ I'll I
Itiii'lcri;il
Ucuion
licai'lic"
¦law
ila\- willi
%

iiiiliialor

Mil l r\ ril
mriiMii ril
I'M I'l'll Jill I'"
r\i rrilaili r"
1992
E. coli
Windsor-Essex
5
65
21
32%


Kent-Chatham
14
164
49
30%


Elgin-St. Thomas
data not available


Haldimand-N orfolk
18
144
23
16%


Niagara
36
463
67
14%

Fecal coliform
Michigan
1
2
0
0%


Ohio
21
196
67
34%


Pennsylvania
data not available (see table below)


New York
16
81
18
22%
1993
E. coli
Windsor-Essex
5
60
26
43%


Kent-Chatham
14
155
44
28%


Elgin-St. Thomas
data not available


Haldimand-N orfolk
26
230
29
13%


Niagara
28
323
65
20%

Fecal coliform
Michigan
data not available


Ohio
27
237
21
9% |


Pennsylvania
data not available (see table below)


New York
8
94
36
38%
1994
E. coli
Windsor-Essex
7
102
47
46%


Kent-Chatham
13
77
9
12%


Elgin-St. Thomas
data not available


Haldimand-N orfolk
25
291
73
25%


Niagara
23
302
50
17%

Fecal coliform
Michigan
1
13
2
15%


Ohio
28
245
30
12%


Pennsylvania
data not available (see table below)


New York
8
59
39
66%
1995
E. coli
Windsor-Essex
7
84
24
29%


Kent-Chatham
14
133
41
31%


Haldimand-N orfolk
37
430
89
21%


Niagara
33
376
67
18%

Fecal coliform
Michigan
4
64
25
39%


Ohio
44
416
74
18%


Pennsylvania
data not available (see table below)
1996
E. coli
Windsor-Essex
7
77
22
29%


Kent-Chatham
data not available


Elgin-St. Thomas
7
76
19
25% I


Haldimand-N orfolk
37
415
95
23% |


Niagara
data not available


Ohio
32
344
22
6%

Fecal coliform
Michigan
data not available


Pennsylvania
data not available (see table below)


Ohio
12
67
6
9% |


New York
data not available
# days measured = each measurement represents a geometric mean.



# days with exceedances = each exceedance represents a geometric mean that was above the specified guideline.

21

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The beaches surveyed that are included in this table can be found in Appendix A of the full
report.
Presentation of the data above is not representative of "the whole picture". There are several
limitations in presenting the data summarized, as above.
1)	Measurements within each region are relatively (but not always) consistent. However
measurements between regions may not be consistent due to sampling variability and
number of beaches sampled.
2)	Any geographic or seasonal patterns that may have emerged during a particular period of
time are not depicted. For example, the frequency of exceedances (spread throughout the
season, or concentrated in one or two weeks) cannot be displayed. More specific beach
and trend data are available in Tables 12-3 and 12-4, and Appendix A.
3)	The amount by which a bacterial level surpasses the guideline cannot be displayed above.
Therefore, a guideline exceedance of one or two units is considered equivalent to an
exceedance of 100 units.
4)	There are limitations associated with using E. coli and fecal coliforms as indicator
organisms, and in the interpretation of the data itself. Please see Sections 12.7 & 12.10.
Table 12-6. Presque Isle State Park - A Comparison of Beach Closures
Year
Total # days beaches closed due to:
Potential beach
days++
# Incidents due to
coliform+++
# Incidents due to Precaution
+++
high
coliform*
high geo
mean**
Precaution+
1992
14
19
0
1,944
12
0
1993
16
0
0
1,818
16
0
1994
7
0
0
1,818
4
0
1995
4
0
6
1,890
3
1
1996
2
0
4
1,890
1
1
Data in this table is compiled from sampling results at 18 beaches within Presque Isle Bay State Park.
* High coliform = daily sample greater than 1,000 /100 ml
** High geometric mean = 30 day running geometric mean greater than 200 / ml
+ Precaution = closing when conditions indicate that historically there may be unsafe
swimming conditions. Samples are taken, and appropriate action performed depending
upon results of the precautionary sampling.
++ Potential beach days = (days to swim) x (# beaches)
+++ The number of incidents = the actual number of events. One event may mean several
beaches may be closed over several days.
22

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Table 12-7. Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District - Lake Erie Offshore Bacteriological
Sampling Data
Sample Site
Coordinates:
i
8i° 5:
41° 31
\
1.80'N
.16'W
B
81° 45.00'N
41° 32.90'W
C
81° 37.05'N
41° 37.08'W
Sample Dates
fecal
coliform
E. coli
fecal
coliform
E. coli
fecal
coliform
E. coli
7/9/90
5
--
<5
—
<1
—
8/20/90
30
--
<2
—
<2
—
6/25/92
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
8/10/94
--
--
--
--
<4
<4
9/20/94
<2
<2
<5
<5
--
--
6/14/95
--
--
--
--
<4
--
8/29/95
<2
--
<2
--
--
--
8/28/97
<4
<4
2
<2
<2
<2
9/21/98
6
4
10
4
4
2
Notes:
•	units in organisms per 100 ml
•	no samples were collected from these sites for bacteriological analysis in 1991, 1993, and 1996.
•	Lake Erie Sample site A is located near the Crown Water Intake, about 2.4 nautical miles offshore on
a heading of 310 degrees northwest from the east side of the mouth of the Rocky River.
•	Site B is located within 500 yards west of the Baldwin Water Intake Crib, approximately 3 nautical
miles offshore on a heading of 323 degrees northwest of the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.
•	Site C is located near the Nottingham Water Intake, about 2.6 nautical miles offshore on a heading of
315 degrees northwest of the mouth of Euclid Creek.
•	Lake Erie samples were colle cted from boatside by direct immersion of the sample bottle below the
water surface. Closed and labelled plastic containers were used to transport samples, on ice for
preservation, to NEORSD Analytical Services. All bottles used to transport samples for
bacteriological analysis had been sterilized prior to sampling. All samples were analyzed within 6
hours of collection using the standard membrane filtration methods prescribed by the USEPA.
23

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Figure 1: Summary of Beach Postings*
i*JF	J			S.#
Western Basin of Lake Erie,
Canadian side
Windsor - Essex Health Unit:
total beaches = 5;
#	beaches posted = 5
#	beaches with no postings = 0
Lake Erie
Windsor-Essex Region
* beaches (in OMEE data t
posted at least once between
1992 and 1995 are graphed;
beaches with no postings are not
graphed. See text for further
information on beaches with no
postings

50
"O

CD

to
o
40
CL

cn
30
>*
ra
Q

t+_

O
20
a>

_Q

E
10
zs

Z

Windsor-Essex
¦ Colchester Beach Park and Harbqur
.•.Holiday Beach Provincial Park
A Point Pelee National Park
* Seacliffe
Ol
1992
1993 1994
Year
1995
24

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Figure 2; Summary of
Beach Postings* :
Central Basin of
Lake Erie,
Canadian side
Elgin - St. Thomas Health Unit
total beaches =
#	beaches posted = 7
#	beaches with no postings
Elgin - St. Thomas Region
Kent - Chatham Region
Kent - Chatham Health Unit
total beaches = 14;
no postings for beaches
monitored; advice signs
permanently posted
instead
* beaches (in OMEE data
posted at least once between
1992 and 1995 are graphed;
beaches with no postings are not
graphed. See text for further
information on beaches with no
postings
Erie Rest Beach
Little Beach
Main Beach
Lake Erie
1993 1994
Year
Elgin-St Thomas
Port Burweli East
Port Burweli Provincial Park
SPoWBruceFrowraaTPafk
Port Glasgow
1992 1993 1994
Year
1995
25

-------
Figure 3 : Summary of Beach Postings* :
Eastern Basin of Lake Erie, Niagara Regjonal Health Unit;
Canadian side	total beaches = 28;
#	beaches posted = 6
#	beaches with no postings = 22
Haldimand - Norfolk Region
Haldimand - Norfolk Health Unit:
total beaches = 32;
#	beaches posted = 18
#	beaches with no postings = 14
* beaches (in OMEE data base)
posted at least once between
1992 and 1995 are graphed;
beaches with no postings are not
graphed. See text for further
inforination on beaches with no
postings
X3
CD
w
o
Cl
u>
>>
to
O
0)
-O
E
=3
Niagara Region
Niagara
¦Sherkstan.Beach.AMiekeLBeach
ii Elco Beach : ; Long Beach Eas
w Burleigh Road Waverly
Lake Erie
Haldimand-Norfolk
Haldimand-Norfolk
Pinegrove'PaiR'''• PorFMatlancJWeit
Haldimand-Norfo
Featherstone Park • Selkirk Camp
Maple EBay Beach " ;• Knights Beach
Port Dover West # Peacock Point
la Beach
lieda Baptist Camp
Highland Park
Long Point Beacr
Sand Hi s
n- Turkey Point
rt Dover Main Beach
ildimand Country Park
I 30
erson Beach
je Heron
1992
1993 1994
Year
1995
1992 1993 1994 1995
Year
1992 1993 1994 1995
Year
26

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12.7	Limitations on the use of indicator organism data
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are both acceptable indicator organisms for assessing recreational water
quality. However, they each have certain limitations:
•	E. coli is better correlated with gastrointestinal illness than fecal coliforms (Robertson, 1993).
Elevated fecal coliform counts do not always indicate a human health hazard. Fecal coliforms consist
primarily of the organisms E. coli and Klebsiella. Klebsiella, present in pulp and paper mill effluents,
can contaminate recreational waters, but is not considered to be a human health hazard in these waters
(HWC, 1992). Klebsiella can sometimes be the predominant organism in a fecal coliform sample,
causing an exceedance of the guideline and resulting in an unnecessary beach closure (Robertson,
1993). Some States (e.g. Ohio) and the Province of Ontario have switched to the use of E. coli as
their indicator of choice.
•	Neither E. coli nor fecal coliform testing differentiate between human or animal waste. This may pose
a problem when the LaMP wants to identify sources.
•	Neither fecal coliform counts nor E. coli counts measure levels of viruses, or non-fecal contaminants
(e.g. Staphylococcus). Viruses and non-fecal contaminants are difficult to isolate and quantify at
present (HWC, 1992), and feasible measurement techniques have yet to be developed.
12.8	Other Reasons for Beach Closures
There are other potential causes of recreational water quality impairment besides exceedances in bacterial
levels. Bather illness or poisoning have been documented in Saskatoon (HWC, 1992) after immersion in
lakes containing dense blooms of blue-green algae. Excessive growth of aquatic plants may cause
entanglement and thereby constitute a hazard to recreational users. Extremes of alkaline and acidic
waters could cause eye irritation. Recreational water should be clear enough so that swimmers can
estimate depth and see subsurface hazards easily. In Ohio, other reasons cited included lack of lifeguards
in one instance, and lightning in the area, requiring a temporary evacuation (Killinger unpublished report,
1995).
The beach monitoring reports filled in at the time of sampling are therefore helpful in identifying these
other reasons for beach closures. As well, the annual or historical beach pollution surveys identify
conditions with the potential to cause human health hazards.
12.9	Limitations on the Interpretation of Data
•	Indicator organism data are limited, and therefore must be interpreted with caution. Measurements
are generally taken only one to two times per week, and therefore only reflect the water quality for
those days. If, for example, it rains every weekend, and samples are taken every Monday, there may
be an exceedance of the guideline for every monitoring sample, even though the rest of the week is
sunny and levels are likely to be within guidelines. Many beach monitoring protocols allow some
flexibility for professional judgement as to when the beach is closed and re-opened (e.g. Ontario
Ministry of Health, 1992).
•	The monitoring criteria and the number of samples per month may have changed in some
municipalities due to economic circumstances. Therefore, there is less data to work with, and
therefore less statistical power to identify trends.
•	Monitoring results take 24 hours or more to process. To protect health, beaches are often posted after
heavy rainstorms, etc., until bacterial levels are confirmed. Conversely, beaches may not be posted
until a series of consecutive samples demonstrates a continued exceedance of the guideline. A 1996
pilot study was conducted in Grand Bend, Ontario (Lake Huron basin), to test the efficacy of a new
27

-------
sampling technique that provides results for fecal coliforms or E. coli in 6 hours or less (Palmateer el
al, 1996). This rapid test yields accurate and timely results, allowing improved public health
protection by prompt beach closures. This new technique, if adopted, will provide a more rapid
evaluation of water quality so that Health Units can decide by early afternoon, before most people go
swimming, if a beach should be closed.
•	Bacterial levels data have been more difficult to obtain, especially electronic versions. Data must
currently be obtained from each Health Unit, and has sometimes been in hard copy. Summary data
were not available in some cases, and therefore there was a large amount of data that needed to be
processed. This report includes the data summarized to date. Other data received will be included as
it is processed.
•	Historical data for E. coli counts in Ontario waters only goes back to 1992, because of the switch in
monitoring from fecal coliform to E. coli from that year on. Therefore, Ontario data will only be
considered from 1992 onward.
•	"Indicator organism" counts can only be used at the individual beach level. Averaging bacterial
counts to get a region-wide value would not give useful information on impairment.
•	There may be subtle variations or regional differences in the collection methodology, or poor or
variable reporting practices. Where and how each sample is taken is important in terms of a
consistent or variable result.
•	Indicator organisms only imply the relative chance that disease causing organisms may be present.
12.10	Data Gaps
To better assess this use impairment: a) a more comprehensive assessment of bacterial levels monitoring
data could be considered for open recreational waters and embayments that are not necessarily public
beaches, but are nevertheless used for total or partial body contact recreation, and b) bacterial levels data
is needed for all private and unofficial beaches.
Beaches may not be sampled as often as protocol recommends, for economic reasons or otherwise. We
may want to work with the Health Units to supplement the bacterial levels data, for the purpose of
monitoring trends. We may want to work with the Health units who do not have a Beach Pollution
Survey or related information to put one together. Dates and lengths of beach postings would be useful to
have as well.
The information on microbial contaminant sources for beaches was provided by personal communication
with each Health Unit based on historical information. Primary sources of microbial contamination need
to be verified and documented for individual beaches to assist in the determination of which direction
research, monitoring and remediation activities should take.
12.11	Future Analyses
Rain, wind, water temperature and bather load data would be useful for making correlations with bacterial
levels. Historical data tend to correlate rainfall and wind with bacterial exceedances. Rain can cause
combined sewers to overflow, causing an elevation of bacterial levels up to 48 hours after the rain event.
High winds can increase wave action, which can suspend sands and result in elevated bacterial levels.
Water temperature may play a role in bacterial growth. Possible future work by Health Canada includes
collecting and graphing environmental data against bacterial levels exceedances.
Data on other contaminants in recreational water, such as viruses, parasites, and toxic chemicals, also
need to be collected, but may be more difficult to obtain. Chemical contaminants such as poly cyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of concern for dermal (skin) exposure in recreational waters.
28

-------
Unfortunately, a wealth of information is not available regarding adsorption (contaminants sticking to the
skin, and the potential for skin rashes, etc.) or how much might be absorbed through the skin (and the
potential to cause systemic effects). And finally, there is a need for unified sampling, reporting, and
analytical methods.
A lifetime risk assessment from dermal exposure to PAHs in St. Marys River (ON) indicates that the
lifetime health risk of skin cancer was well below the negligible risk range at inshore locations (Hussain
et. al., 1995). However, some upstream sites had risk values higher than the negligible risk range and this
may be cause for some concern. The report states that the risk can be significantly reduced, even to the
point of becoming negligible, if recreational water use by the individual is modified (e.g. reducing the
number of times the water is used, and/or showering soon thereafter). There are also human contact
advisories issued by the Ohio Department of Health, for segments of the Black and Ottawa Rivers in
Ohio. PAHs and PCBs, respectively, are responsible for these advisories. Due to elevated concentrations
of these contaminants and their impact on the fish in these rivers, precautionary advisories against human
contact were issued.
At present, the U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the importance of sediment-stored fecal coliforms
and E. coli and the role of physical disturbances (i.e., wind, wave action, the swimmers themselves) on
the recreational water-quality of nearshore zones of public bathing beaches of Lake Erie (Francy, 1996).
12.12	Making the link to health outcomes
Finally, more research is needed to correlate prevalence of waterborne illness with levels of bacterial
contamination, a challenging task. Some preliminary reports have been written on this issue, and further
research is ongoing to understand the relationship. For example, the US EPA has estimated that the use
of an illness rate of 8 individuals per 1,000 swimmers for a geometric mean of 126 E. coli /100 ml water
may be helpful in predicting the potential for waterborne illness as a result of bacterial contamination (D.
Killinger, personal communication).
12.13	Impairment Conclusions
Bacterial levels exceedances are occurring throughout the Lake Erie basin. Therefore, it is recommended
that Lake Erie basin nearshore recreational water quality be classified as impaired from a human health
(i.e. bathing use) standpoint. The critical pollutant, defined as the cause of the beneficial use impairment
discussed in this report, is microbiological contamination based on the E. coli and fecal coliform data
reviewed.
Bacterial levels data examined in this assessment provide support for a conclusion that recreational use of
Lake Erie offshore is unlikely to be impaired by bacteria. However, the Lake Erie LaMP has decided to
classify the use impairment for recreationally used "open waters" as "inconclusive", since a
comprehensive assessment of the open waters data was not undertaken.
These conclusions are based on all sources of impairment, and are not dependent upon whether or not the
sources can be remediated. Some remediation, such as separating combined sewers or building
storm/sanitary sewer overflow tanks is expensive and therefore remediation is a long-term project. Other
sources, such as seagulls and bather load may not be able to be remediated. It is recommended that a
long-term plan be developed to identify the sources that can be remediated, the costs, and the time lines.
Identification of sources is an important beginning to the remediation process. It should be noted that,
although it may not be feasible to eliminate bacterial levels exceedances completely, much work has been
done over the past number of years to remediate microbiological sources of contamination, and this is
29

-------
likely a great contributor to the reduction of exceedances. As sources continue to be remediated, it is
hypothesised that bacterial levels exceedances will continue to decline.
12.14 References and Data Sources:
GENERAL
Francy, D.S. Effects of Sediment-Stored Fecal-Indicator Bacteria on the Recreational-Water Quality of
Nearshore Zones of Public Bathing Beaches, Lake Erie, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. U.S.Geological Survey,
Water Resources Division, Columbus, Ohio. Final Report to the Lake Erie Protection Fund. 1998.
Glatzer, Lou. Plasmid Fingerprinting to Identify the Pollution Source at the Maumee Bay State Park.
University of Toledo. Final Report to the Lake Erie Protection Fund. 1998.
Hartig, J., Zarull, M., Mikol, G., Reynoldson, T., Harris, V., Randall, R, Cairns, V. 1194. "Quantifying
"How Clean is Clean?" for Degraded Areas in the Great Lakes". Water Environment Federation, 67th
Annual conference and Exposition. Chicago, October, 1994.
Health and Welfare Canada. 1992. Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.
Hussain, Moe, Gilman, Andrew and Rae, Jennifer (1995) Risk Assessment from dermal exposure to
PAHs in St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie. Great Lakes Health Effects Program, Health Canada.
International Joint Commission. 1989. Proposed Listing/Delisting Criteria for Great Lakes Area of
Concern. Focus on International Joint Commission Activities. Volume 14, Issue 1, insert.
International Joint Commission. 1994. Revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as
amended by Protocol Signed November 18, 1987. Reprinted February, 1994.
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. 1996. Testing the Waters VI - Who Knows What You're Getting
Into?
Palmateer, G1., Glaskin-Clay, M.2, Aldom, J.2, Prout, T.2, Van Bakel, D.1, Robertson, W.3 1996.
Evaluation of a Rapid Fecal Coliform and Escherichia coli Test Designed for Recreational Waters. GAP
EnviroMicrobial Services Inc., London, Ontario1, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Exeter,
Ontario2, and Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario3.
Robertson, J. "Guidelines for the Protection of Human Health on Bathing Beaches". Environmental
Health Review. Spring, 1993, ppl4-17.
Wade Jacobson, Consultant with U.S. EPA, GLNPO, Personal Communication; provided draft summary
data and information from Survey of Great Lakes Bathing Beaches (U.S. shoreline), 1981 - 1994, work in
progress; unpublished, 1996.
Ontario:
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit; Mr. Tim Bendig, Public Health Inspector and Member of Lake Erie
LaMP Public Forum; Mr. Dave Brown, Public Health Inspector; Summary recreational water quality
information and hard copy raw and summary E. coli data records for monitored beaches for 1992-1995;
unpublished data, 1995.
30

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Kent-Chatham Health Unit; Mr. Ron Carnahan, Public Health Inspector; Summary recreational water
quality and beach postings information and hard copy raw and summary E. coli data records for
monitored beaches for 1992-1995; unpublished data, 1995.
Wheatley Harbour Remedial Action Plan. "Stage 1/Stage 2 Report (Draft): Environmental Conditions and
Problem Definition - Delisting Strategy". Draft. June, 1995.
Elgjn-St. Thomas Health Unit; Mr. John Taylor, Public Health Inspector and Member of Lake Erie Public
Forum; Summary recreational water quality and beach postings information and hard copy summary E.
coli data for monitored beaches for 1995; unpublished data, 1995.
Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Health Department; Mr. Glen Steen, Mr. Joe Gibbons, Public Health
Inspectors; Summary recreational water quality and beach postings information and computerized raw
and summary E. coli data records for monitored beaches for 1992-1995; unpublished data, 1995.
Long Point Region Conservation Authority. "A Clean Up Rural Beaches Plan (CURB) for the Big Otter
Creek". October, 1992. (within Haldimand-Norfolk Region)
Niagara Regional Area Health Unit; Mr. Ben Vacca, Mr. Dennis Beresh, Public Health Inspectors;
Summary recreational water quality information and computerized raw and summary E. coli data records
for monitored beaches for 1992-1995; unpublished data, 1995.
Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy; computerized database of beach postings for monitored
public beaches in Ontario, 1986-1994; unpublished data, 1995.
Todd Howell. Summary report on beach postings for beaches along Lake Erie; unpublished, 1995.
Ontario Ministry of Health. "Beach Management Protocol: Water Quality Program". Mandatory Health
Programs and Services, Public Health Branch. December, 1992.
CURB (Clean up Rural Beaches) report for selected regions along Lake Erie
Middlesex-London Health Unit. State of Environment report on recreational water quality, complete with
summary E. coli exceedances. Thank you to Jim Reffle, Senior Health Inspector, for this report.
Palmateer, G., Scott, A., Glaskin-Clay, M., Griffiths, R. "Rapid E. coli Test - Field Evaluation". Draft
Report, 1995.
Michigan: Information provided by Bob Sweet, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Michigan DEQ guidelines Rule 323.1062/Rule 62.
Monroe County Health Department. Fecal Coliform Data for Lake Erie beaches, 1992-1995.
Ohio: Information provided by Don Killinger, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, and Lauren Lambert,
Ohio EPA, and Keith Linn, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
Cuyahoga County Board of Health; Don Killinger/Kris Bosworth; Summary report of recreational water
quality, advisories and fecal coliform data from eight local health departments, for monitored beaches,
1992 - 1994; unpublished report, November 30, 1995.
Cuyahoga River RAP. "Stage One Report. 1992.
31

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Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Areawide, CSO Facilities Plan, Phase 1 Study, Areawide Plan.
1994.
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District; Keith Linn-Lake Erie Offshore Bacteriological Sampling Data,
unpublished, 1990-1998.
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. "Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan Stage One
Update, Semi-annual Progress Report, January to June, 1995". Report. 1995.
Ohio Department of Health. 1970. "Guide for the Evaluation of Bathing Areas". Bathing Places. 1970.
Great Lakes United. "Great Lakes United Newsletter". Winter, 1995-96, p.13.
Black River RAP. "Black River Remedial Action Plan Stage One Report: Impairment of Beneficial Uses
and Sources of Pollution in the Black River Area of Concern". Report. April, 1994.
Black River RAP. "Research undertaken in support of the Black River RAP, July, 1994 to September,
1995". Draft, October, 1995.
Black River RAP. "Status Update of Chapter 7 Black River RAP Stage One Report Research Priorities
and Agenda". Draft, October, 1995.
Maumee Bay State Park Bacterial Standards Committee. "Bathing Beach Bacterial Standards -Maumee
Bay State Park". Presentation to Lake Erie Commission. March 20, 1996.
Ohio EPA, Northwest District Office. "Maumee Bay Fecal Coliform Survey". Data report. 1995.
Maumee River Remedial Action Plan. "Stage I Investigation Report". October, 1990.
Ashtabula RAP Stage 1 Report. 1991
Saporito, R. Fecal coliform bacterial study of selected areas of the Ashtabula River. Ashtabula County
Health Department. 1994.
Pennsylvania: Information provided by Kelly Burch (PADEP, Office of the Great Lakes) and Mark
Elster (GLNPO).
Erie County Department of Health. "Presque Isle State Park Bathing Beach contamination Investigation -
Year 3". Final Report. March, 1991.
Erie County Department of Health. "Presque Isle State Park Bathing Beach Contamination Investigation -
Year 2". Final Report. February, 1990.
Erie County Department of Health. "Presque Isle State Park Bathing Beach Contamination Investigation -
Final Report". May, 1989.
Erie County Department of Health. "Fecal Coliform Loading to Lake Erie from Four Tributary Streams".
December, 1994.
32

-------
New York: Information provided by Dick Draper and Cynthia Leese, New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
Chautauqua County Health Department. Fecal Coliform Data for 1992-1995.
33

-------
Appendix A
Bacterial Levels Graphs
34

-------
880 >600
>600 >600
0
03
g
E
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100'
3oint Pel 5 3
.2
1o
g
o
o
o
o
LU
guideline
J J A J J A
1992 1993
J J A J J A
1994 1995
>600
Colcheste
M
J J A
J J A
J J A
guideline
J J A
1992
J J A
1996
-i—>
(0
o
o
o
o
LU
Seacliffe
-i
¥
guideline
J J A J J A J J A J J A JJA
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
00	>600 >600
CD
03
E
o
o
o
o
LU
Holiday

J J A
JJA
JJA
J J A
guideline
JJA
1992
Figure 12-1: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Windsor-Essex beaches, Lake
Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\windsori .prs
35

-------
0
"to
g
E
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100'
T Cedar Be
fej -
guideline
J J A J J A JJA J J A
1992 1993 1994 1995

600

500


0)

m


400
1

o
o
300
1—



"o
200
o

LU


100

0
.akeshore (Kingsiille)
J J A
guideline
JJA
1992
JJA
1993
JJA
1994
JJA
1995
JJA
1996
o
H—'
(0
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
10*
Hillmarl
m
guideline
JJA
1992
JJA
1993
JJA
1994
JJA
1995
JJA
1996
Figure 12-2: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Windsor-Essex beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\windsor2.prs
36

-------
Clearville Campgound
guideline

600

500


CD

(0
§
400
E

o
o
300
"o
200
u
LLI


100
Howard Boat Launch
•
i


4
I



t «


JVv
O
L/U

June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992 1993 1994 1995
610

600

500


(1)

-------
a)
H—'
(0
o
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
How
f
HI	SH
= rd 1
Qwnship East
Jl



11>.
1 *
• T
629 602
guideline

600

500
*

(u

(0
§
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

"o
200
u
LU


100

0
How
/c rd 1
qwnship West
1


\
<>

	i
•	
A
t
irl
4
4
.
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992 1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(u

(Ti

§
400
E

o
o
300
"o
200
o

LU


100

0

—< i	
Etrieau Public Beach
I




J \T~
y4
^ x*

600

500
*

(1)

(0
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

"o
o
200
LU

e
100

0
Er
eau Beach Dalton
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
guideline
guideline
Figure 12-4: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Kent-Chatham beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\kent2.prs
38
-------
600
500
400
g 300
O
O
LLI
200
100
Brie
Bjbach, Bisnett Road

vw
600
500
0)
§ 400
E
g 300
O 200
LU
guideline
100
MO
E Plant
Beach











I


/


J
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992 1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Burn s Beach
§ 400
S 300
O 200
o
i
a>
"to
§
o
o
600
500
400
300
§ 200
LU
guideline
100
West Beach
l







4

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-5: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Kent-Chatham beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\kent3.prs
39
-------
a)
H—'
(0
o
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
Omstead Beach
guideline
Holiday Harbour Beach
\iVmJ
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992 1993 1994 1995
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-6: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Kent-Chatham beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\kent4.prs
40
-------
600
500
400
630 1000 1032
g 300
200
100-
Port Burwell Munic
600
500
400
300
200
100
pal
(0
§
o
o
o
o
LLI
guideline
J J A
1995
J J A
1996
Port Bruce Mu
nicipal








tJJr

o
H—'
(0
o
o
o
o
LLI
guideline
J J A
1995
J J A
1996
600
500
400
300
200
100
600
500
400
300
200
100
Port Burwe Provincia
J J A
J J A
guideline
Port Stanley Little
	



|

M

guideline
J J A
1995
J J A
1996
Figure 12-7: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Elgin-St Thomas beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\elgin1.prs
41
-------
600
Port Stanley Main
§ 400
33
guideline

600

500


0

15
§
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

"o
200
o
LlJ


100

0
Port Glasgow










Jif
guideline
J J A J J A
1995 1996
Figure 12-8: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Elgin-St Thomas beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\elgin2.prs
42
-------
0
"to
E
o
o
o
o
LLI
600
500
400
300
200
100
	1
F
inegrove Park
f
¦
<
1

|
k. i
!
!:¦ ¦.
Uy
JJA	J J A
1992 1993
J J A J J A
1994 1995

600

500


(u

-------
600
500
0

ro
§
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LjJ

100

600

500


(1)

-------
CD
"CO
§
O
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
Low Point East
o
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
JJA	jjA	J J A
1993 1994 1995

600

500
*

(1)

(0
§
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

"o
200
u
LU


100
guideline
Camp Kienuka


•
1


J
Jl'


JJA	jjA JJA	JJA
1993 1994 1995 1996
600
500
§ 400
g 300
g 200
LU
guideline
100
Low Point West
	
JJA
1993
JJA	JJA
1994 1995
Austin's Trailer Park
	,	
guideline
guideline
JJA	JJA JJA	JJA
1993 1994 1995 1996
Figure 12-11: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald3.prs
45
-------
a)
H—'
(0
o
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
Knight's Beach

J J A
1993
J JA
1994
J J A
1995
J J A
996
guideline
Blue Heron
guideline
JJA	jjA J J A	J J A
1993 1994 1995 1996
"to
§
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Century Beach
600
500
§ 400
g 300
g 200
LU
guideline
100
JJA	jjA JJA	JJA
1993 1994 1995 1996
Featherstone Point
guideline
JJA	jjA JJA	JJA
1993 1994 1995 1996
Figure 12-12: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald4.prs
46
-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LLI

100
Lot 10 Cone 1
J J A
J J A
J J A
1995
1993
guideline
Maple Bay
guideline
JJA	jjA J J A	J J A
1993 1994 1995 1996

600

500


(1)

-------

600

500
*

(1)

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LLI


100

0
Peacock Point

f 1
? f |

J
.
JL
J J A
1992
J J A
1993
guideline
J J A JJA
1994 1995
J J A
1996

600

500


CD

(0
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

"o
200
u
LLI


100

0

J J A

1992
T
Haldimand Park
UUL
J J A
1993
J J A JJA
1994 1995
guideline
J J A
1996
"to
§
600
500
400
g 300
O 200
o
LLI
100
leida Baptist Camp
J J A
1992
J J A
993
J J A
1995
996
guideline
Turkey Point
L,
J J A
1992
guideline
J J A JJA
1994 1995
J J A
1996
Figure 12-14: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches,
Lake Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald6.prs
48
-------
819 608
600
500
0)

"CO
§
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

o
o
200
LlJ

100
Port Dover Sewage Plant

guideline ui
J J A
1992
J JA
1995
Port Dover Main
i
J JA
J J A JJA
1994 1995
J J A
1996
1992

600

500


(1)

-------

600

500
*

(1)

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LLI


100
Port Ryerse

4
>


l If

i#

guideline
J JA
1992
J J A
1994
Port Ryerse East
o 200
TV" gu deline
J J A
J JA
1996

600

500


(u

(Ti

§
400
E

o
o
300
"o
200
o

LU


100

0
Port Ryerse West
a)
H—'
(0
o
o
J J A
1995
600
500
400
300
§ 200
ixi
guideline 100
o
J J A
1996
J J A
1992
Sandhill Beach


•

f i
i
I
i

4


ft


L
guideline
J J A JJA	J J A
1994 1995 1996
Figure 12-16: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald8.prs
50
-------

600

500
*

(1)

(0
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LU


100
Long Point Beach


1
"

t
At J

1993
1994
1996
1992
Long Point West
O 200
600
500
% 400
g 300
g 200
LLI
guideline
guideline
J J A	J J A
1995 1996
100
Long Point East



•

iJ
<
-ill
o
H—'
(0
o
o
600
500
400
300
§ 200
LlJ
100
J J A
1995
Long Point Old Park
guideline
J J A
1996
J JA
J J A
996
guideline
Figure 12-17: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald9.prs
51
-------

600

500


0

to

§
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

"o
200
o

LjJ


100

0
Norman
SI
(0
=s
o
o
600
500
400
300
guideline
o 200
LjJ
100
Sunnibank Park
£
guideline
1992
1993
J JA
1996
Figure 12-18: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Haldimand-Norfolk beaches, Lake
Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\hald10.prs
52
-------
Norfolk Park


i
i ¦ ¦


J
4t



J J A
1992
J J A JJA
1994 1995
Long Point New Park
guideline
J
guideline
J J A	J J A
1995 1996

600

500
*

0)

-------

600

500
*

(1)

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LU


100

0
Princess Road



I
i



m
Jf 7
\\ Lte y
guideline
Waverly
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(u


(0
o
o
o
o
LU
600
500
400
300
200
guideline 100
0
Buffalo Road
1

Akk	
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-20 : Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara2.prs
54
-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LU

100
Bertie Road
600
guideline
Windmill Point
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
o
o
LLI
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Bernard Road
CD
-i—>
(0
o
o
o
o
LU
guideline
600
500
400
300
200
100
Burleigh Road
Ml
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-21: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara3.prs
55
-------

CW
i
301)
1
4QZ'
E

8
300
t.-

8
a*
UJ


ic»
Thunder Bay Golf Club

guideline

BUS

500
1
4C0
I

1
300


i
see
ui


100

0
Pleasant
guideline
.'J* .ii» ijja	e„j
1902 1893 1994 -'goa

600

500
ii

%
400
1

3
aoo
¦*—



•»
2W1
U,j


100

0
Crystal
and Bay
1 •
| J

V..-- &%*. f
—»-±	rf5—,—
Jn*iiJJ»Aug Ju-ttJJ»Ai$	Ji«-«i J.% Aug
1992 1993 1994 IS®
ELiffac Can00 Club
guideline
guideline
¦J.«* Jy% AJB J|«« ,l.% Aiij	JjrcX*tSja
1992	1903 1994 1995
JUne.UyAm JjrwJtiyAjg ..u» jfr ftuj Jurw Juff ftjj
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-22; Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
56
-------
600
Point Abino
guideline

600

500


CD

(0
§
400
E

o
o
300
"o
200
u
LLI


100
Sherkston Elco
¦mAL
n.
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Sherkston Quarry
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995


600

500
*

(1)

(0
400
E

o
o
300
'T—

"o
o
200
LU

e
100

0
Sherkston Wyldwood

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-23: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara5.prs
57
-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LU

100
Silver Bay
,fw/4lr # .
600
guideline
Humberstone
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(1)


(0
o
o
o
o
LU
guideline
600
Nickel
500
400
300
200
guideline
100
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-24: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara6.prs
58
-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LLI

100
Gravely Bay
600
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Gunther's Grove
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(1)

-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300


o
o
200
LU

100
Sunset Kosseuth
600
guideline
Morgan s Point
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
"to
§
o
o
o
o
LLI
Be eview
600
500
§ 400
g 300
O
o
LU
guideline
200
100
Lakewood Camp


i



J

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-26: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara8.prs
60
-------

600

500
*

(1)

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LLI


100

0
Long Beach


600

500


CD

(0
§
400
E

o
o
300
"o
200
u
LU


100
Long Beach Resort
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(1)

-------
600
500
0

(0
5
400
E

o
o
300
-T—

o
o
200
LU

100
Orchard Grove

600
guideline
Side Road 26
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995

600

500


(1)


(0
o
o
o
o
600
500
400
300
200
LU
guideline
100
Chippawa Park

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-28: Geometric Mean of E. coli Levels in Niagara beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\figures\new\niagara10.prs
62
-------
5611 608 657
4240 1434
Q)
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5
E
o
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o
600
500
400
300
200
100
600
Sterling State Park
guideline q
Luna Pier
® 100
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
600
Stoney Point
(0 500
-I—'
(0
o
o
E
o
guideline^
(0
o
o
600
500
400
300
200
100
Bay Crest
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-29: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in Monroe County, Michigan
beaches, Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\erie\monroe1 .prs
63
-------
Q)
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5
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,<£>.(*>

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8 100
	
Calico
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1
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
/ ^

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1992	1993 1994 1995
o
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guideline^ 200
o
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0
c
eidar Beach






J.

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-30: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in New York State beaches,
Lake Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\erie\newyork1.prs
64
-------
Q)
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1992	1993 1994 1995
(0
5
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600
500
400
300
200
100
0
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» 	•—**
600
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o
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guideline^ 200
o
o 100
0
Brookside Beach
^Z.
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
guideline
Figure 12-31: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in New York State beaches,
Lake Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\erie\newyork2.prs
65
-------
Q)
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5
E
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600
500
400
300
200
100
Bluewater
i

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guideline £ 200
Lake Erie State Park
(0
® 100
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992
1993
1994
1995
(0
5
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Silver Creek


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o
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0
Ball Hill Camp
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
guideline
Figure 12-32: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in New York State beaches,
Lake Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\erie\newyork3.prs
66
-------
Q)
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guideline q
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
600
Q)
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Bourne's Beach
(0
$
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(0
o
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June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
600
500
400
300
200
(0
8 100
Moose Summer House
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
600
500
400
300
guideline'o 200
o
100
Forest Park
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-33: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in New York State beaches,
Lake Erie	c:\sberry\indicato\erie\newyork4.prs
67
-------
Q)
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600
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400
300
200
100
Harbour House
a)
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(0
5
o
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guideline q
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
(0
5
o
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600
500
400
300
200
100
Shore Haven

guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
600
500
400
300
200
(0
8 100
n Swingle's
guideline
June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug June July Aug
1992	1993 1994 1995
Figure 12-34: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform Levels in New York State beaches,
Lake Erie
c:\sberry\indicato\erie\newyork5.prs
68
-------
Lake County
-250
¦= 100
Lorain County
E
.• 8 180
guideline®
Week 5 Week 7 Weeks Week 11 Week 13 Week 15
o 140
guideline
WeekS Week 6 Week7 WeekS Week 9 Week 10 Week 11
250
£ 200
o
o
| 150
|
o 100
ra
o
,
-------
Ottawa County	Cleveland City
euu
500
o 400
guideline
100
1993
0
Week
Week 11 Week 13
Week 15
110
100
E
o
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L_
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Week 5
Week 7
Week
Week 11
Week 13
350 Cuvahoaa County
300
e 250
guideline
E 200
o
3 150
,® 100
50
Week 7
Figure 12-36: Geometric Means of Fecal Coliform in Ohio beaches, Lake Erie.
Week 1 corresponds to the first Tuesday after May 30.
70
-------
Beach Cliff-100 Wagar Dr.
Cuyahoga County

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90-

80-
p
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Clarkwood Beach Ulub
Cuyahoga County
120
S 100
= 90
Geometric mean 94 Geometric mean 95
Huntington Beach
Cuyahoga County
3 4 5 6 6 7 7 C 9 10 "1 1? 13 13 14 15'1616.517
4 5 5 6 7 7 8 6 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 1616.5
Time
1993-Geometric me -e- 1994-Geometric me 1995-Geomstric me
Columbia Road Park Beach
Cuyahoga County
120
Geometric mean 1993 -+- Geometric mean 1994
Figure 12-37: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform levels in Private Beaches, Cuyahoga County
(Ohio), Lake Erie	Week 1 corresponds to the first Tuesday after May 30.
71
-------
Arcadia Club
Cuyahoga County
lOO-L-r
5 e 7 a 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17
Time
1993-Geometric me 1994-Geometric me 1935-Geometric me
Edgecliff Beach Club
Cuyahoga County

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300


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Week
¦- Geometric mean 94 —>— Geometric mean S5
Bay Park Beach
Cuyahoga County
Week
• Geometric moan 93 —Geometric mean 94 Geometric mean 95
Figure 12-38: Geometric Mean of Fecal Coliform levels in Private Beaches, Cuyahoga County
(Ohio), Lake Erie	Week 1 corresponds to the first Tuesday after May 30.
72
-------
1200 -r
1000 --
o
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Figure 12-39
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean Fecal Coliform Concentrations
1993
4 4 ^ <$y  <& <$• <$y %\ ^
30-Day Period Start Date
\
Edgewater Beach —°— Euclid Beach
Ohio Criterion
73
-------

600

500
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o
t \

uj
200

100
0
Figure 12-40
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean E. coli Concentrations
1993
<3x 4N ^ # 16 
-------
80% j
70% --
60% --
50% --
40% --
30% --
20% --
10% 4-.
0%
Figure 12-41
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of Fecal Coliform Cone. > 400/100 mL
1993
4n # ^ 4? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^	^
30-Day Period Start Date
\
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
76
-------
80% j
70% --
60% --
50% --
40% --
Figure 12-42
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of E. coli Concentrations > 235/100 mL
1993
30% --
20% --
10% ¥
4 4 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ax a\n a\n a 4 o>\N
30-Day Period Start Date
\
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
77
-------
800 j
700 --
600 --
500 --
o 400 --
8 300 --
o 200 -b
 ^ %
-------
500
450
400
¦J 350
o 300
o
^ 250
8 200
Ui 150
100
50
0
4n
Figure 12-44
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean E. coli Concentrations
1994
.	c/V	kV K°> cfo yi	O ^	N.^	N.^
4 # *N ^ a\n a\n ^ ^ *x <£N & & * <*\N
30-Day Period Start Date
¦•— Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
19
-------
70% -r
Figure 12-45
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of Fecal Coliform Cone. > 400/100 mL
1994
60% --
50% --
40% --
10% --
4n <>vvvv
30-Day Period Start Date
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
80
-------
30%
20%
10% +
Figure12-46
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of E. coli Concentrations > 235/100 mL
1994
80% t
70% --
60% --
50% --
40% --
A\	n k, c> X} \ A Oj q>	^
^ <*N & <$> ® 
-------
600 t
500 --
o 400
Figure 12-47
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean Fecal Coliform Concentrations
1995
P 300
r 200
0 llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
MINIMI
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
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00
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00 00 00 00
30-Day Period Start Date
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
82
-------
60% -r
Figure 12-48
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of Fecal Coliform Cone. > 400/100 mL
1995
50% --
40% --
30% --
20% --
10% —
<& vV5	vN^ \f^ A& \\^ vO^ \f>^	vO? \0? o\^
^ 4 4n 4^ 4? <$>  v /y\ Av s$y v <&N <§y <§y <*x
30-Day Period Start Date
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
83
-------
2000 -r
Figure 12-49
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean Fecal Coliform Concentrations
1996
o
o
£
o
o
o
15
o
 kV rfb isO A	n.^ n*
-------
1200
1000
£ 800
1 600
o
ill 400
200
0
4n
Figure 12-50
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Geometric Mean E. coli Concentrations
1996
i
30-Day Period Start Date
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
85
-------
60% -r
Figure 12-51
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of Fecal Coliform Cone. > 400/100 mL
1996
50% --
40% --
30% --
20% --
10% --
~ /A /b qp (Vs l\V	o£> A^> l\V l\k o£> rN /V rP? r&)
^ 4 4n  <$> <$y <§? v a\n a\n s$y <&   <$y <$y °>x
30-Day Period Start Date
Edgewater Beach
Euclid Beach	Ohio Criterion
86
-------
Figure 12-52
N.E. Ohio Regional Sewer District Lake Erie Beach Study
30-Day Percentage of E. coli Concentrations > 235/100 mL
1996
60% t
50% --
40% --
20% --
10% --
~	tsfV K*	isfV ls^
4 4 ^ <$y <$> (o\	\\ A\N A\N Jp, A
-------