The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is issuing a partial body beach advisory for Magnus Park in Petoskey, Emmet County. A partial body beach advisory remains in place for Richardi Park in the Village of Bellaire, Antrim County. The advisories are posted at the beaches.

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality standards, E. coli levels testing between 301 and 1,000 per 100 milliliters (ml) qualify for a partial body contact advisory. With partial body contact, wading, paddling, and fishing are considered safe.

Magnus Park
A water sample collected Tuesday showed an E. coli level of 770.1 per 100 ml, which requires a partial body beach advisory. The beach is located at 901 W. Lake St. in Petoskey.

Richardi Park
A water sample collected Tuesday as a follow-up showed an E. coli level of 713.4 per 100 ml, which also calls for a partial body beach advisory. The beach is located at E. Antrim Street in Bellaire.

The beaches will be retested today, Wednesday. Results will be shared with the public Thursday, Aug. 1.

Water sampling is done throughout the summer months to monitor E. coli levels at many public
beaches. The levels change frequently, impacted by the presence of fowl, waves, and more. When a
sample comes back that creates an advisory of any type, the water at that beach is sampled again the
next day to keep the public updated.

HDNW posts beach monitoring reports weekly on its website at https://www.nwhealth.org/beach.html. Through an EGLE supported web-based program, the public has real-time access to beach water quality results for beaches all over Michigan. Information can be found at www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/.