Presque Isle Cancels Four Beach Advisories

 Erie, PA - Presque Isle State Park has canceled advisories for four of the popular swimming beaches just in time for the 4th of July. Effective as of 12:30 PM  on Wednesday, July 3^rd, 2013,   the  "Swimming Advisories"  that were posted yesterday for Beach #1 West (24), Beach #6 (40), Beach #7 (41) and Beach #8 (130)  have been lifted.   

For public safety, testing of swimming waters is performed twice weekly. According to Erie County Department of Health protocol, if E. coli counts are between 235 and 999 per 100 milliliters of water, a Swimming Advisory is posted on that beach.  If levels are above 999, Restricted Swimming is posted for that beach.  Re-testing has begun and will be performed daily.  A Swimming Advisory will remain until a bacteria count of 235 or less is obtained.   Beach areas posted under a Swimming Advisory are still open to the public for swimming, sunbathing, and other recreational opportunities. Beaches posted as Restricted Swimming will remain open for sunbathing and recreation activities, however swimming will not be allowed and patrons will be directed to other beaches if they would like to swim. 

During a Swimming Advisory, to reduce the risk of illness, it is recommended that beach users take the following precautions: 

• Avoid swallowing lake water.
• Wash your hands before handling food.
• Avoid swimming with an open cut or wound, or if you are experiencing an illness.
• Minimize water contact if lake levels are high, heavy rains have just ended, or strong winds are blowing from the west.  

Presque Isle has thirteen regulated swimming beaches.  Beaches are all open and are available for swimming from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm daily.