Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

 Date:              August 4, 2004

Contact:           Gregory Cumpata, R.S.

                       Environmental Health Supervisor

Phone:  (810) 257-3603               Fax:  (810) 257-3125

The advisory that was in effect for Buttercup Beach has been lifted.  The e-coli levels are now in compliance with State guidelines for bacterial concentrations at bathing beaches.

Exposure to any recreational water can be a potential health risk.  Gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses have been associated with recreational water exposure.

Your Genesee County Health Department utilizes the following rules to interpret the E. coli test results (By authority conferred on the director of public health by section 12544 of Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, being S333.12544 of the Michigan Compiled Laws) :

R 325.2102 Sanitation and safety determinations.

Rule 2. (1) Bacterial concentrations in water at a bathing beach, as determined by standard methods, shall contain not more than 130 Escherichia coli (E. coli) per 100 milliliters, as a 30-day geometric mean. Compliance shall be based on the geometric mean of all individual samples taken during 5 or more sampling events representatively spread over a 30-day period. Each sampling event shall consist of 3 or more samples taken at representative locations within a designated sampling area. Bathing beach waters shall not contain more than a maximum of 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters. Compliance shall be based on the geometric mean of 3 or more samples taken during the same sampling event at representative locations within a defined sampling area