Southern Wisconsin Times

The City of Janesville Recreation Division reopened Lions Beach (1401 Palmer Dr.) effective Thursday, July 20, after receiving water quality test results demonstrating that the facility is safe for swimming, although elevated bacteria levels remain.

City staff takes weekly water quality samples at the beach for testing to monitor E. coli bacteria. Last week, a water quality test showed elevated bacteria levels (1,414 CFU/100 mL) in the facility’s swimming area. This result required the City to close the beach to swimming. However, the most recent water quality test has shown diminished bacteria levels of 308 CFU/100 mL. These results allow the City to reopen the beach.

Water quality standards state that any test result between 0 to 250 CFU/100 mL is safe for swimming. Test results between 250 to 1,000 CFU/100 mL are safe for swimming but require posted public notice of elevated bacteria levels. Any test results greater than 1,000 CFU mandates the swimming area to be closed pending further testing.

Bacteria counts at the beach vary throughout the season depending on usage and environmental factors, such as rainfall.

For questions, contact the Recreation Division at (608) 755-3030.

Original source can be found here.