North Wood County Park Beach Closed due to eColi

South Wood County, Nepco, and Dexter County Park Beaches Open Saturday

Submitted to OnFocus – North Wood County Park Beach is closed due to high Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts. Initial beach water samples collected on 05/18/2021 prompted the closure. The Wood County Health Department routinely conducts water sampling for bacteria at all county beaches throughout the summer. The recent water samples collected from the beach exceed the maximum level considered to be safe. The most recent count at North Wood County Park Beach was 2419.6 Most Probable Number (MPN).

The presence of E. coli bacteria in water indicates human or animal pollution, and the potential presence of bacteria that can cause illness. Wood County Environmental Health staff will collect samples from the beach, and will reopen the beach when the water quality is considered safe for swimming. The beach closure will end when the results of two consecutive days’ samples are below 235 MPN.

Environmental Protection Agency studies show that high levels of these bacteria can lead to acute gastrointestinal illness in swimmers. Symptoms of waterborne illnesses can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor.

Information concerning the reopening of the beach at North Wood County Park, or water quality testing from Wood County beaches, can be obtained by calling the Wood County Health Department at 715-421-8911 or 715-387-8646, or the Wood County Parks and Forestry Department at 715-421- 8422.

South Wood County, Nepco, and Dexter County Park beaches will open to the public on Saturday, May 29 and beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend. Wood County Parks & Forestry beaches are not staffed and are unguarded Dogs are not allowed in the beach areas.

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