To protect the public's health, the Porter County Department Of Health requires that public beaches be sampled every week for Escherichia coli (E coli). Beach closing is required when a level of 235 colony forming units (cfu) of E coli per 100 milliliters of water is reached.

Clicking below on the name of a beach will return the history of water samples for that particular beach.

Lake Michigan. You may view the water results for Lake Michigan by clicking here to visit their water quality web site.

What is E. coli? Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria live in the digestive systems of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Therefore, they are found in sewage and other wastewater. Most strains are not harmful, but some are, and they can indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria.

Why are the beaches monitored by the Porter County Health Department? To protect the public's health, the Department conducts weekly sampling throughout the summer months. The water sample is taken in a central location of the bathing beach and in water at least three feet deep. Water samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the results exceed 235cfu, then the risk of illness increases and the beach is required to be closed.

How do bacteria get in the water? There are a variety of sources that contribute bacteria to surface water:

• Storm runoff following a rain
• Agricultural runoff
• Wild and domestic animal waste
• Bather defecation
• Illegal sewer connections to storm sewers or roadside ditches, or direct discharges to the lake
• Malfunctioning sewage disposal systems, combined and sanitary sewer overflows

What type of illness can you get from swimming in contaminated water? Gastroenteritis type illness is the most common, with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and low grade fever. Skin rashes and earaches may also be experienced.

How do I know if the beach water is safe? No one can guarantee the quality of natural bodies of water. The minimal sampling that the Department conducts indicates the water quality only on the particular day the sample was collected and at that specific location. Those sample results are not usually known until the following day after the sample was collected. The Department recommends not entering the water if it is very murky or turbid, if it has an odor or there has been a heavy rainfall within the past 24 hours. Beach patrons should not drink the water and should not enter the water if they have any open sores.

What can I do to assure the best water quality at the beach? While some contamination may occur by nature and cannot be controlled, there are several things that beach patrons can do to assure the best water quality:

• Be sure infants wear tight fitting rubber or plastic pants if they enter the beach water.
• Do not encourage waterfowl by feeding ducks or geese.
• Encourage children to use toilets frequently.

Will a beach be closed for swimmers' itch? Where schistosome dermatitis (swimmers' itch) is known to exist, appropriate measures shall be taken to protect bathers. In extreme cases the beach will be closed. In other cases where sporadic cases are found, the beach can remain open only if the beach operator posts signs and informs beach goers of the situation.

Swimmers' itch is an allergic reaction of the skin to a microscopic larva called cercaria (released from snails). When cercariae come in contact with the skin, they will penetrate into the skin. This causes itching at the point of entrance as well as raised red spots, which resemble chigger bites.

One of the simplest preventative measures to remember is to briskly rub your body dry with a towel as soon as getting out of the water. Showering immediately, using lots of soap, is also an excellent method of prevention.