Brian Barton
Chicago's beaches are a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, with over 20 public beaches welcoming 60 million visitors annually. However, the issue of beach pollution has been a growing concern for beachgoers. With bacteria levels in the water sometimes exceeding safe limits, swimmers are at risk of contracting infections and developing flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhoea, ear infections, and rashes. While the city has implemented measures such as rapid DNA testing to monitor water quality and notify the public of potential health risks, there are calls for more effective solutions to address the root causes of beach pollution, including repairing sewage systems and preventing runoff pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of beaches | Over 20 public beaches |
| Annual visitors | 60 million |
| Beach season | From the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day |
| Swimming timings | 11 am – 7 pm daily |
| Water quality | Mostly acceptable, but bacterial levels can exceed EPA pollution limits |
| Water quality testing | Conducted 7 days a week from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day |
| Water quality testing method | Rapid Testing method developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency |
| Water quality data | Available on Chicago's Data Portal and updated daily during the beach season |
| Beach closures | Occur when pollution levels are high |
| Beach advisories | Issued when water quality warrants caution; yellow flags are posted at beaches under advisory |
| Beach pollution sources | Sewage systems, stormwater runoff, industrial pollution, and intense storms |
| Beach erosion | A significant issue, with Chicago beaches narrowing at a rate of nearly 100 ft per year |
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What You'll Learn
Beach pollution sources and prevention
Chicago's beaches are popular spots for residents and tourists to cool off during hot summers. However, beach pollution has become an increasing concern, with instances of high bacteria levels, particularly enterococci and E. coli, that can cause swimmers to fall ill. While the city has implemented measures such as water quality testing and flag warning systems, more needs to be done to address the sources of pollution.
Sources of Beach Pollution
One significant source of beach pollution in Chicago is stormwater runoff. During intense storms, the city's stormwater systems can become overwhelmed, leading to the release of raw sewage into local waterways and the lake. This type of pollution event has prompted beach closures in the past, and it continues to be a concern today.
Additionally, Chicago's beaches face the issue of industrial pollution. As part of the Great Lakes region, the city's beaches are more susceptible to high pollution levels due to the smaller closed system of freshwater lakes, which have less wave action and water volume compared to coastal areas, making it harder for pollution to dilute.
Prevention and Mitigation Strategies
To prevent beach pollution and protect public health, Chicago has implemented several measures. The Chicago Park District, in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, has adopted a Rapid Testing method developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to detect bacterial DNA in beach water. This method provides results within 3-4 hours, allowing for more timely notifications to the public about potential health risks.
The city has also partnered with various organisations, such as Friends of the Parks (FOTP), to address the issues of erosion and habitat loss along the shoreline. FOTP is closely monitoring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' General Reevaluation Report (GRR), which will evaluate the risks of flooding, erosion, and storm damage along Lake Michigan's coast. The report, expected to be completed in 2025, will offer solutions to these issues while also considering the importance of habitat preservation and public access to the lake.
Another initiative is the Illinois Clean Harbors program, implemented in partnership with the state and Chicago Park District, which aims to improve water quality. Additionally, natural solutions, such as reestablishing dunes and native plants, are being promoted to combat erosion and provide a more durable and visually appealing alternative to traditional grey infrastructure.
To further mitigate pollution, it is essential to address sewage systems and prevent runoff pollution. This can be achieved by increasing public investment in green infrastructure, such as rain barrels, permeable pavement, urban green spaces, and green roofs. Protecting natural infrastructure, such as riparian areas and wetlands, can also help filter pathogens and pollutants, harnessing nature's tools to protect water sources.
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Testing methods for water quality
Chicago's beaches range from the city's only inland beach, Humboldt Park Beach, to the largest dog-friendly beach, Montrose Dog Beach. The Chicago Park District manages the city's 26 miles of open and free lakefront.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tracked pollution rates on Great Lakes beaches and coastal areas, and found that the Great Lakes' beaches exceeded EPA pollution limits more frequently than coastal beaches. Intense storms in cities like Chicago can also contribute to the problem.
The Chicago Park District samples the beaches seven days a week starting the Friday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, between sunrise and 8:30 am. They have partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health to expand the water quality testing program to utilize a new Rapid Testing method developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The Rapid Testing method measures levels of bacterial DNA in beach water and provides results within 3-4 hours, compared to the 18-24 hours of the traditional Culture-Based method.
The traditional Culture-Based method involves incubating samples for about 24 hours to test for the presence of "indicator bacteria" such as enterococcus or E. coli, which are correlated with the presence of human pathogens. The development of rapid indicator tests aims to address the limitations of the traditional method, where warning signs may not reflect the current water quality.
Other rapid testing methods include qPCR, which was used alongside traditional methods during epidemiological studies at three southern California beaches in 2008 and 2009, and TMA, which was used on ocean samples alongside traditional methods like the IDEXX method and membrane filtration method. Field testing of ddPCR is also being conducted as part of a Surfer Health Study in San Diego, California.
The cost of rapid testing equipment can be a barrier, with estimates of $40,000 or more, and the training required to perform these tests is more extensive than for existing methods. However, rapid testing methods have the advantage of providing faster results, which can help notify the public about the risk of developing water-borne illnesses.
In addition to testing methods, other measures can be implemented to ensure beach safety. For example, the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act requires the installation of life rings, cabinets, and signage in designated areas along the lakefront. Swimming is only permitted at Chicago beaches during specific hours when lifeguards are on duty, and only in designated swim areas.
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Beach closures due to pollution
Chicago's beaches are popular spots for residents and visitors to cool off during the hot and humid summers. However, beach closures due to pollution have been a concern in the city.
The city's beaches are located along Lake Michigan, and while most of the time, the water quality is acceptable, there are instances when bacteria levels elevate, posing a risk to swimmers' health. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has found that Great Lakes beaches, including those in Chicago, sometimes exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pollution limits. Intense storms in the city can contribute to the problem by overwhelming stormwater systems, leading to the release of raw sewage into local waterways.
Historically, Chicago officials closed beaches when E. coli readings were too high. However, they no longer do so, even when levels of enterococci, a different fecal indicator, soar past 1,000 CCE, which is the level at which federal authorities recommend warning beachgoers as around 4% of swimmers are likely to get sick. Instead, the Chicago Park District posts a yellow flag and lists the bacteria readings when enterococci levels hit 1,000 CCE.
To address this issue, the Chicago Park District has partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health to implement a new Rapid Testing method developed by the US EPA. This method measures bacterial DNA in beach water and provides results within 3-4 hours, allowing for more timely notifications to the public about elevated health risks. The traditional Culture-Based method takes 18-24 hours, which is not fast enough to provide real-time water quality notifications.
In addition to rapid testing, predictive modelling techniques have been developed to forecast beach water quality. The Clear Water project, a collaboration between the City of Chicago, civic tech volunteers, and graduate students, aims to improve the accuracy of these predictions. The project identifies five beaches that contribute to about 56% of poor water quality days, recommending that these beaches be routinely rapid-tested due to their volatility. By clustering the remaining beaches, the project aims to provide more accurate notifications to the public about water quality.
While these efforts are helping to improve water quality monitoring and prediction, beach closures due to pollution still occur. On June 25, 2024, four of Chicago's beaches were under a swim advisory due to water quality issues, with posted warnings stating that the water quality failed to meet federal standards. To protect themselves, beachgoers are advised to check for swim advisories and support long-term solutions for clean water, such as repairing sewage systems and preventing runoff pollution.
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Health risks of swimming in polluted water
Chicago's beaches range from inland beaches to dog-friendly beaches and quiet, tucked-away beaches. However, the water quality at these beaches is a concern for local beach safety scientists. This summer, enterococci levels, a type of bacteria, at Chicago beaches have regularly soared past 1,000 CCE, even hitting 40,000 CCE last month. When enterococci readings hit 1,000 CCE, federal authorities mandate that beachgoers be warned about the dangers as about 4% of swimmers are likely to get sick at those levels.
Swimming in polluted water can be detrimental to your health. The most common illnesses associated with swimming in polluted water include gastroenteritis, ear, eye, nose, and throat infections, and skin rashes. In highly polluted water, swimmers may be exposed to more serious diseases. The most vulnerable populations to developing illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water are children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Water quality may be poor for multiple reasons, including too many nutrients in the water, which can cause excessive growth of algae, or the presence of artificial pollutants such as metals, oils, pesticides, and fertilizers. An oil spill, for example, can cause harm not only to the surrounding ecosystem but also to humans who swim in the contaminated water.
To avoid swimming in polluted water, it is recommended to check your local council or state department website for water quality information. After heavy rain, it is advised to avoid swimming in coastal bodies of water for one day and in rivers and estuaries for three days. It is also recommended to avoid swimming near stormwater drains as they may still be discharging microorganisms and pathogens into the water.
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Climate change and beach erosion
Chicago's beaches are popular spots for locals and visitors alike, offering a respite from the hot and humid summers. However, these beaches, along with others worldwide, face the threat of pollution and climate change impacts, including beach erosion.
Beach Erosion and Climate Change
Beach erosion is a natural process where local sea-level rise, strong wave action, and coastal flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils, and sands along the coast. While all coastlines experience erosion due to storms and natural events, the severity and extent of the problem are worsening with global sea-level rise. This rise in sea levels is driven by the warming of the planet, causing seawater to expand, ice sheets to melt, and water levels to rise, resulting in flooded beaches.
The impact of erosion varies across different regions. For instance, some areas along the Great Lakes experience erosion rates of up to 50 feet per year. In the United States alone, coastal erosion results in an average annual property loss of approximately $500 million, including damage to structures and loss of land.
The federal government in the United States spends around $150 million annually on beach nourishment and shoreline erosion control measures. However, even with these measures in place, residual risks remain. With climate change, intense storms are predicted to increase in strength and frequency, exacerbating the problem of beach erosion.
Non-Structural Solutions
There is a growing recognition that structural solutions, such as interference with natural water currents, might cause more harm than good. Instead, non-structural shore protection methods are gaining traction. These methods aim to stabilize dunes using fences and native vegetation, protect and restore wetlands, and relocate or remove structures and debris. By enhancing the natural ability of shorelines to absorb and dissipate storm energy, these nature-based or "green infrastructure" protection measures provide a more sustainable approach to combating beach erosion in the face of a changing climate.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chicago Park District samples the beaches seven days a week starting the Friday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. The traditional Culture-Based method provides results after 18-24 hours, but the Rapid Test provides results within 3-4 hours.
Most of the time, beach water quality is acceptable. But sometimes, rates of bacteria elevate to a level where swimmers are at risk of contracting an infection and developing flu-like symptoms. On 25 June 2024, four of Chicago's beaches were under a swim advisory due to water quality issues.
The Chicago Park District has partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health to expand the water quality testing program to utilize a new Rapid Testing method developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The city has also partnered with volunteer data scientists and students at local universities to build a better predictive model for forecasting beach water quality.
