Beach Advisories

Environmental Health staff collect water samples from bodies of water throughout the County from Memorial Day through September. Samples are analyzed for various water quality parameters, including bacteria levels, to protect public health and to prevent the spread of disease. Beaches are closed if deemed unsafe to public health.

Sampling Date Lake Michigan Locations Single-Day Geometric Mean 30-Day Geometric Mean Results
1 09/08/2009 Grand Haven City Beach 0.0 N/A
2 09/08/2009 Grand Haven State Park 0.0 N/A
3 09/08/2009 Rosy Mound Recreation Area 0.0 N/A
4 09/08/2009 Kirk Park 0.0 N/A
5 09/08/2009 Windsnest Park 0.0 N/A
6 09/08/2009 Holland State Park, Lake Michigan 0.0 N/A
7 09/08/2009 North Beach Park 0.0 N/A
8 09/08/2009 Kouw Park 0.0 N/A
9 09/08/2009 Tunnel Park 0.0 N/A

Sampling Date Inland Lake Locations Single-Day Geometric Mean 30-Day Geometric Mean Results
10 09/08/2009 Grose Park 0.0 N/A
11 09/08/2009 Dunton Park 0.0 N/A
12 09/08/2009 Lakeside Park 0.0 N/A
13 09/08/2009 Holland State Park, Lake Macatawa 0.0 N/A
14 09/08/2009 Georgetown Community Park 0.0 N/A
15 09/08/2009 Fallen Leaf Park 0.0 N/A
16 09/08/2009 Maplewood Lake Park 0.0 N/A
17 09/08/2009 Pottawattomie Park 0.0 N/A

Grand River Special Event Sample Results
Date: 05/22/2008
Location Sample A Sample B Sample C Geometric Mean
Jenison 31 36 0 10.37
Grand River Park 92 0 0 4.51
Deer Creek Park 0 0 0 0
Riverside Park 0 36 0 3.30
Pottawatomie Bayou 0 0 0 0

Spring Lake Special Event Sample Results
Date: 05/22/2008
Location Sample A Sample B Sample C Geometric Mean
South End 0 0 0 0
North End 0 0 0 0

Beach Advisories and Closings throughout the State of Michigan

Healthy Swimming (CDC)

Additional Information

The health department collects water samples at beaches to determine if the water complies with total body contact standards and is safe for swimming. Samples are generally taken one foot below the surface in water that is between three and six feet in depth. A laboratory using EPA approved testing methods performs the analysis. Results of the analysis are available after approximately 28 hours, so water-testing results are reported the following afternoon. E. coli bacteria are counted and judged against standards established by state rules. The health department needs to take a minimum of three samples each time a beach area is monitored. The daily geometric mean calculated from these samples must be below 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters for the water to be considered safe for swimming. Sometimes one or two of the samples may be above 300, but if the daily geometric mean is below 300, the beach is not in violation of the water quality standard.

A minimum of five sampling events (consisting of at least three samples per event) must be collected within a 30-day period for the results to be considered a reliable indication of water quality. After 30 days, a geometric mean is calculated for all the individual samples collected within that time frame. This 30-day geometric mean must be below 130 E. coli per 100 ml for the water to be considered safe for swimming. A beach is closed if either the single-day or 30-day geometric mean bacteria count exceeds the state established limit. If a beach is closed due to bacterial contamination, the health department will continue to monitor the water quality at the beach and will permit the beach to reopen when bacteria levels fall back within acceptable levels. It is possible that a beach could be closed for swimming but other recreational activities at the beach may still be available.

Safe Swimming
Although the health department does not deem a beaches unsafe based on weather conditions or wave action, we encourage our residents and tourists to swim safely. The miles of beautiful shoreline are inviting, however we all should be reminded to respect the water. Rip currents and undertows can be very strong and very dangerous. Please visit http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ for more information.

For questions about beach water sampling please call 616-393-5645.