Health advisory issued for Edgewater Beach after sewage overflow
[Watch in the player above: 5 swimming safety tips from the American Red Cross]
CLEVELAND (WJW) — A new public advisory warns Edgewater Beach visitors to stay out of the water, after an overflow of sewage into Lake Erie caused by heavy rain.
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District announced a combined sewer overflow event on Monday afternoon. Such overflows happen when the amount of stormwater entering the city’s combined sewage and stormwater systems exceeds its capacity, causing sewage to spill into the lake.
Melt to close all restaurants — except one
Due to suspected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in lake water, visitors are advised against coming into contact with the water or wood debris at the beach — especially children, the elderly or those in poor health.
E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis and other illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those most at risk include children younger than 5, adults ages 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems.
Sewer district crews plan to sample the water for E. coli at 10 locations near Edgewater Beach — five locations near the beach and five further from the shore. Once the samples are below federal and state limits, the advisory will be lifted. Crews will continue to sample the water twice daily.
The last combined sewer overflow was on Aug. 23, 2023, according to the notice.
TRACKING: Slow-moving afternoon storms
A $3 billion, 25-year infrastructure plan to address the city’s combined sewer overflows, which began in 2011, seeks to reduce the total amount of annual overflows from 4.5 billion gallons to less than 500 million gallons by 2036, according to the notice.
As of 2023, the project had reduced the number of overflow points from 126 to 112, according to the notice.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
