bathiing beaches

2007 Beach Closings
 

To prevent ilnesses associated with swimming at Illinois beaches, each licensed beach is inspected annually to determine that required safety features are in place and there are no sources of possible pollution such as sewage discharges. These inspections are done either by the Illinois Department of Public Health or a local health department, or, in Chicago, by the Chicago Park District. The Department alsobathing beach requires that each of the 335 licensed public beaches be sampled every two weeks to determine that bacterial levels in the water are within limits established in the Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Code (77 Ill. Admin. Code 820). The maximum E. coli level allowed – 235 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100mL) – is based on guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recreational waters.

Two sample bottles are mailed to each licensed beach operator every two weeks, beginning in May and concluding in September, for sampling the shallow and deep areas of the beach. If both of the sample results exceed 235 cfu per 100 mL, the operator is ordered to immediately close the beach. If one of the sample results exceeds the 235 level, the facility is required to submit two additional samples. If either of those re-sample results exceeds 235 cfu/100mL, the beach is ordered to close. Beaches are allowed to reopen when both samples collected on the same day have less than 235 cfu/100mL.

The Department's regulations also contain a maximum standard for fecal coliform bacteria (500 cfu per 100 mL); the same testing frequency and closing procedures apply. Beaches located in Lake and McHenry counties are sampled by staff from the local health departments there and those agencies have chosen to sample for fecal coliform levels. Both E. coli and fecal coliform serve as good indicators of bacterial contamination because they live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. E. coli is a subgroup of the fecal coliform bacteria.

The water quality at many Illinois beaches can be influenced by heavy rainfall. If a recent heavy rainfall makes the water look cloudy, the beach may not be safe even if the most recent sample results were satisfactory. Use common sense and good judgment anytime you swim in natural waters. If the water does not look inviting, don't swim.

Since most of the swimming-related disease outbreaks in Illinois have been associated with fecal discharges from swimmers, the Department requires that all children who are not toilet trained wear tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants. Swimmers are advised not to drink the beach water.

If you have any questions about the bathing beach program, contact the Department's Division of Environmental Health at 217-782-5830.

 

Beach Closings

2007 Beach Closings
2006 Beach Closings
2005 Beach Closings

2004 Beach Closings
2003 Beach Closings
2002 Beach Closings
2001 Beach Closings
2000 Beach Closings
1999 Beach Closings


Searchable Information

Illinois Beach Information
Illinois Swimming and Beach Facility Search
Chicago Park District Beach Web site


Forms

Application for Swimming Facility License
Application for Swimming Facility Construction Permit
Drowning Injury Illness Report
Special Flood Hazard Area Location Request Form


Publications

Why is the Beach Closed Today?
Posted Beach Regulations


Rules

Illinois Swimming Facility Code





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Environmental Health Home

Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
Questions or Comments