OREGON, OH (Toledo News Now) - It's become an unfortunate sign of summer: Visitors are being encouraged not to swim in Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park.
The usual problem is back: high levels of Ecoli.
Readings were taken by the University of Toledo Lake Erie Center and forwarded to the Ohio Department of Health. The agency determined the water was unsafe, due to recent heavy rainfall and wind direction.
"Some of it's runoff. Some of it's old septic tanks. The human factor and warm-blooded animals, including birds, will contribute to the problem," according to Pamela Struffolino from the center.
If people do go in the water, they risk getting eye and ear infections, rashes and gastrointestinal diseases.
Most folks talking to Toledo News Now plan to stay on the shore.
"It's very concerning, but there's a lot of other things we do here at the beach. We try to stay away from the water when they have Ecoli warnings," said David Jackson.
His wife, Angie, is thankful for the warnings.
"I like that they've got a warning, especially when we bring our family out here," said Angie Jackson.
The earliest the Ecoli warning could come down is Monday, when the next water sample will be taken.
