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Ohio Summary: 2006 Swimming Season
May 2007
- Introduction
- 2006 Summary Results
- For More Information
- Print version (PDF) of this document (573 K, 2 pages, About PDF)
- Raw data (MS-Excel) for Ohio (206 K)
Introduction
Figure 1. Ohio coastal counties with 2006 monitored beach data.
The BEACH Act of 2000 requires that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories report to EPA on beach monitoring and notification data for their coast recreation waters. The BEACH Act defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) that states, territories, and authorized tribes officially recognize or designate for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar activities in the water.
This fact sheet summarizes beach monitoring and notification data submitted to EPA by the state of Ohio for the 2006 swimming season.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year, Ohio conducts a program for monitoring the bacteria content of the recreational waters along the Ohio/Lake Erie border that are designated for swimming, bathing, scuba diving and similar water contact activities. A partnership effort between Ohio's Department of Health (DOH), Department of Natural Resources, local health districts and private/public organizations along the lake provides the citizens of Ohio with specific and timely information regarding water quality conditions.
Water is collected from each beach an average of four times per week during the season. Samples are analyzed for E. coli content and the results are made available to the public.
| County | Total Beaches | Monitored | Not Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtabula | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Cuyahoga | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Erie | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| Lake | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Lorain | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Lucas | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Ottawa | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Totals | 52 | 52 | 0 |
2006 Summary Results
How many beaches had notification actions?
Figure 2: Monitored beaches with and without notification actions in 2006.
Whenever the bacteria levels exceed the standard of 235 E. coli colonies per 100mL of water sampled, advisory signs are posted to alert bathers to the potential health hazards. Additionally, beach water at 67 of Ohio's inland state parks is regularly sampled and analyzed using the same standard for bacteria content. Of the 52 coastal beaches that were monitored in 2006, 42, or 81 percent, had at least one advisory during the 2006 season (Figure 2).
How many notification actions were reported and how long were they?
Figure 3: Beach notification actions by duration.
A total of 181 beach notification actions were reported in the 2006 swimming season. Actions were of relatively short duration, however. Figure 3 presents breakdowns of action durations.
What percentage of days were beaches under a notification action?
Figure 4: Beach days with and without notification actions.
For Ohio's 2006 swimming season, EPA determined there were a total of 6,076 beach days associated with the 52 monitored beaches. Actions were reported on 731 of those days or about 12 percent of the time (Figure 4).
How do 2006 results compare to previous years?
Beginning in 2003, states are required to submit data to EPA under the BEACH Act for beaches which are in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Table 2 compares 2006 data with data reported in previous years.
| Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of monitored beaches | 61 | 47 | 52 |
| Number of beaches affected by notification actions | 18 | 14 | 42 |
| Percentage of beaches affected by notification actions | 26% | 30% | 81% |
For More Information
General information about beaches | Beaches in Ohio 
You can also see the Earth911 Beach Water Quality site for OH .
