Contamination Advisory: Summer Storms Mean High Bacteria Levels at Avon Lake Beaches

Thinking about cooling off in Lake Erie? You may want to think again, especially after a rainstorm. You may be getting more bacteria than you bargained for.

One of the rainiest summers in recent history means elevated bacteria counts at both of Avon Lake’s beaches—at both Miller Road and Veterans parks. Both beaches attract visitors from the west side of Cleveland.

Avon Lake Municipal Utilities Chief Utilities Executive Todd Danielson said levels are down from 10 years ago before sewer separations, when raw sewage mixed with storm water after a rain and discharged into Lake Erie.

“During a given year, 40 million gallons of sewage and storm water flowed into Lake Erie,” Danielson said about discharge before separations. “The overflow discharged right around City Hall.”

Separation of the SR 83 lines have greatly alleviated raw sewage discharge into the lake.

Still, bacteria, specifically e. coli, does find its way into the lake, which is why ALMU has begun posting bacteria levels—collected four times a week—on their webpage, including whether the levels are above or below recommended swimming levels. .

Miller Road Park beach waters have proven to maintain lower levels than Veterans Park beach.

Now, ALMU takes samples four times a week, 24 since May 28, and has begun reporting them on its Facebook page. In 11 of those 24 readings at Veterans Park, readings have been above the recommended water quality level. 

“It’s a lot,” Danielson said. “It’s attributed to all the rain we’ve had.”

“When e. coli count is over 235 organisms per 100 ml swimming is not recommended,” ALMU’s Facebook page said July 9. “Veterans' Beach nearly always has a higher e. coli level because of its location beside Heider Creek/rain-induced runoff.”

Readings from samples taken July 9 shows a 727 count of e. coli organisms (per 100 ml) at Veterans Park beach and 71 at Miller Road Park beach.

Readings will be taken through the Labor Day weekend or shortly after. 

Lake Erie bacteria levels off of Miller Road Parks beach have been higher 6 times in the same 24-reading period.

Currently, signs at both beaches will notify swimmers if the level is high and swimming is not recommended.

In addition to ALMU’s Facebook page, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources posts advisories of all 133 public Ohio beaches. Veterans Park beach has been under a contamination advisory since July 2.

Miller beach is listed as open and is not under an advisory. 

Lateral separations will help

Danielson said the separation of home laterals to the sewer system—approximately 2700 in Avon Lake—would help.

“All of (the above) being stated, that’s why we’re doing the 2700 lateral separations,” Danielson said.

Laterals connected to the storm sewer are partially to blame for waste entering the lake. The EPA has mandated that by 2020, cities greatly reduce pollutants entering the lake.

Danielson said, however, that e. coli might also be coming from other sources.

“The lateral separations will help,” he said. “Still, the issue of bacteria from storm water is if it is from animal or human.”

Currently, it cannot be determined if the e. coli found in the water is animal or human.

“If it’s animal, that it is runoff,” Danielson said. “It could be the deer, people not picking up after their dogs…”

Bacteria information online

Click here to get to ALMU’s Facebook page. (Tip: “Liking” the page means bacteria level postings will show up in you newsfeed.)

Click here for ODNR’s Beach Guard

(Click here for Miller Beach. Click here for Veterans Park Beach.)