The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is extending a partial body beach advisory for Richardi Park in the Village of Bellaire, Antrim County.

A water sample collected Wednesday as a follow-up showed an E. coli level of 983.5 per 100 ml, which requires a partial body beach advisory. The beach is located at E. Antrim Street in Bellaire.

The beach will be retested today, Aug. 15. Results will be shared with the public Friday, Aug. 16.

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality standards, if E. coli levels range from 301 to 1,000 per 100 milliliters (ml), a partial body contact advisory is issued. If E. coli levels exceed 1,000 per 100 ml, a full body contact advisory is in effect. During a full body contact advisory, visitors are advised to choose alternative beaches in the area.

Water sampling is done throughout the summer months to monitor E. coli levels at many public beaches. 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://nwhealth.org/beach-monitoring-program/. 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 https://www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/.