Beach water monitoring program sought for Oshkosh's Menominee Park beach

[We have received the following from Oshkosh resident an environmental activist Justin Mitchell and are pleased to publish it on his behalf.]

I have asked the Oshkosh Health Dept to implement a permanent beach water quality monitoring program at Menominee Park Beach. Below are the main points to the request, as well as actions you can take to help support this effort.

At current, the water at Menominee Park Beach is not tested. No City of Oshkosh departments, including the City of Oshkosh Health Department or the City of Oshkosh Parks department, test the water on this public beach. No City of Oshkosh department is responsible for posting hazard notices if the beach or beach water becomes a public hazard, such as following the flooding of 2008.

Current Lake Winnebago Water Testing Programs
The Winnebago County Health Department currently conducts water quality testing along the Winnebago water system, with the nearest locations to Oshkosh being Asylum Bay to the north and Black Wolf boat landing to the south. Winnebago County Health Director Doug Gieryn indicated that the county conducts tests every two weeks during the Spring and Summer at 10 sites. Testing of the waters includes testing the levels of multiple forms of E. Coli levels and levels of Blue-Green Algae. Winnebago County Parks also conducts regular water quality sampling at its public beach in Winnebago County Park north of Oshkosh.

Fond du Lac County conducts regular water tests at each of its county owned and operated public swimming beaches. According to the Fond du Lac County website (http://www.fdlco.wi.gov/Index.aspx?page=853), “Wolf Lake swimming area is tested weekly during the swimming season for E.coli levels. Beach closure signs are posted whenever water sample results exceed 235 cfu per 100 mL. Beach closure signs will be removed when water sample results of two consecutive days of sampling are below 235 cfu per 100 mL. Elevated E. coli readings increase swimmers risk of developing gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”

The DNR, State Hygeine Lab, and Wisconsin Dept of Health (DHFS) all recommend water testing at beach sites. DHFS has issued the “Recreational Bathing Beach Water Quality Testing & Surveillance Recommendations for Wisconsin’s Inland Lakes”, providing background information, testing directions, and actions for local health departments to take following testing. The publication recommends that beaches be closed whenever E. Coli levels approach or exceed the EPA standard, whenever a human health hazard exists, after a major pollution incident such as a sewage leak, or following significant rainfall that is determined to impact the beach area.

There are many potential health hazards for individuals who come in contact with contaminated or unsanitary water, whether through swimming, inhalation, or swallowing. The primary concerns (and the indicators tested for) are E. Coli and Blue-Green Algae. Testing done by the Winnebago Health Department following the 2008 flooding found at least one site in which E.Coli levels exceeded the EPA standards for safe water.

E. Coli health risk – The main purpose for testing E Coli levels is that they are an indicator of the presence of other bacteria and viruses that can be transferred from human or animal to human, including Salmonella, Hepatitis, Listeria, Typhoid, Cholera, and others. High levels of E Coli present in the water indicates a high chance of fecal matter being present in the water.

Blue Green Algae health risk – Blue Green Algae naturally produce toxic chemicals that can pose a serious health risk to individuals who come in contact, whether through swimming or ingestion. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, external exposure symptoms include skin rash, hives, throat and eye irritation. Ingestion can produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle / joint pain, seizures, convulsions, paralysis, cardiac failure, and respiratory failure.

According to the Wisconsin DNR, these toxic chemicals are not produced all of the time, and “the only way to be sure if the toxins are present is to have water samples analyzed in a laboratory.” www.dnr.state.wi.us/lakes/bluegreenalgae/

The city of Oshkosh currently has language in multiple areas that indicates a support for water quality monitoring at its public beach. The city Dept of Public Health states that “Recreational facilities are monitored to ensure that a safe and healthy recreational environment is provided to all residents and tourists.” Public Health also indicates that it is “the official health agency of the City of Oshkosh and is responsible for prevention of disease, promotion of wellness, and provision of a healthful and safe environment.”

Environmental Health Services Division states that it identifies “hazards, which may contribute to the spread of disease or present unacceptable risk to the community. These hazards are controlled through inspection, education, technical assistance, referral, and enforcement.”

According to the City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan, page 172, “In the community survey conducted as part of the preparation of this Plan, respondents identified our water resources as the most important asset to the city. Protection of both the quantity and quality of water is critical for health, business, and recreational opportunities.

A city of Oshkosh Comprehensive plan goal for the city is to participate in a local water quality initative (pg 182). As part of the Comprehensive Plan Nautral Resources Goals, Objectives, and Actions, the following is indicated as a Municipal Action under Goal D, “Monitor beach water and the quality of the lake and implement recommendations to improve the quality of the water.” (pg 183)

A city of Oshkosh survey of city Park users indicates that 30% of residents who use the city’s park system utilize Menominee Park Beach, making it the 4th most utilized park resource for the entire city. (City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan pg 61 “Park Activity Participation within the Last Year”)

UW Oshkosh Microbiologist Greg Kleinheinz indicated that UW Oshkosh is willing to conduct the testing and lab work at no cost to the city. Testing would be completed 3-5 times per week during the swimming season.

So what is being requested:
1. A permanant beach water monitoring program as part of the annual responsibilities of the Health Dept.
2. Water quality reports available on the city website for general public viewing.
3. Posting of notification signs at the beach when contamination levels exceed EPA standards for safe water
4. A process is implemented to identify sources of contamination and create sustainable solutions to the problem.

How can you help?
1. Please send a letter or email to the following stating your support of a beach water quality monitoring program at Menominee Park. You can borrow any wording or ideas from my letter above, or add your own reasons, or just say you support beach water testing at Menominee Park.

If you have questions, let me know (justin_mitchell1@yahoo.com).

Please send to your message to:

1. City Manager Mark Rohloff: mrohloff@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

2. Mayor Frank Tower: ftower@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

3. Health Director Paul Speigel: pspiegel@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

4. Comm Development Director Jackson Kinney: jkinney@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

5. Health Advisory Board (indicate in the header: Please forward to all Health Advisory board members): sue@oshkoshunitedway.org

6. Common Council:

btower@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
dmchugh@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
bbain@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
jking@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
tpalmeri@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
pesslinger@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Or, if you send a letter by mail, address it to: "Name", 215 Church Ave, PO Box 1130, Oshkosh, WI 54903