Health department conducting weekly beach water testing

The Oneida County Health Department is conducting weekly water sampling this summer at four popular county parks with designated swimming areas.
The health departmentwill be testing the water at the Hodag Park, Buck Lake, Torpy Park and Sugar Camp Lake for Escherichia coli (E. coli) to “help families and beachgoers make informed choices about swimming and recreating at our local beaches,” local health officials explained in a post on the department’s website.
As of July 1, all four beaches are currently safe for swimming.
According to the health department, natural bodies of water can occasionally contain elevated bacteria levels due to rain, runoff, or other environmental factors. Elevated bacteria levels can increase the chance of illness, including:
Sore throat of respiratory infection

Diarrhea or bloody stool
Ear, eye, and skin infections
More serious conditions such as meningitis and hepatitis
Sampling will be conducted weekly through the Friday following Labor Day. Testing periods may be adjusted as budget and staff availability permit. The health departmentwebsite will always post the most recent test results.
Generally, the first test of the week will be taken on a Monday or Tuesday. If the first test of the week returns an E. coli level in excess of 1000 colony forming units (cfu) (MPN)/100mL or above, additional sampling will occur that Wednesday or Thursday, as Oneida County Health Department staff are available, to attempt to provide updated results before the weekend.
For more information on the department’s beach testing program, visit https://publichealth.oneidacountywi.gov/oneida-county-beach-testing-water-quality/. The health department also posts beach testing updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages.