Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Lakeside Park swimming area is once again open to swimmers, according to a press release from the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department.
Another water sample was taken by the Kosciusko County Health Department and results Friday showed there was no longer a cause for concern.
Thursday, because of high levels of E. coli, the health department ordered the swimming area at Lakeside Park, Syracuse, closed at 2:30 p.m.
Two samples had been taken from the lake and both had levels of more than 500 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water. The accepted level for full-body contact is 235 E. coli per 100ml of water.
Two samples are taken at every public beach in the county every week. If both samples test over the limit, the beach is immediately closed. The health department continues retesting the water until it is determined the E. coli levels are safe again.
The possible reason for the high level of E. coli, health department administrator Bob Weaver said Friday, may be the many ducks and geese at the lake, coupled with the fact that the water temperature of the lakes has been around 88 degrees.
E. coli, short for Escherichia coliform, is a group of hundreds of strains of bacteria that can cause illness if consumed. While these bacteria may be found in soil, when found in water they indicate the water is not sanitary and should not be consumed.
