Madison Reporter

Public Health Madison & Dane County has initiated its annual beach monitoring program in collaboration with UW-Madison Environmental & Occupational Health. This year, new sites have been added, including Willows Beach and the Willow Drive Boat Launch on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Jennifer Lavender Braun, a microbiologist for Public Health Madison & Dane County, stated: "With these additional sites, our team will monitor and test the beach conditions at 23 beaches and 4 lake access points in Dane County from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our goal is to make sure the water quality is safe, and the community is aware of the conditions while enjoying our beautiful lakes this summer."

The program involves weekly sampling of nearly two dozen beaches in Dane County for E. coli bacteria and monitoring blue-green algae blooms. "We focus on E. coli because it’s the best indicator if there are germs in the water that can make you sick," said Lavender Braun. If high bacteria levels are detected, beaches will be closed until safe levels are restored.

Residents can stay informed about beach conditions by signing up for email alerts or checking updates on the Public Health website. Signs indicating closures will also be posted at affected beaches.

Lavender Braun emphasized caution regarding blue-green algae: "Conditions can change quickly, and blue-green algae can grow fast... if you notice the water looks like ‘pea soup’, green or blue paint, or has a scum layer on the surface, it could be blue-green algae blooms, so please avoid swimming in that water."

Reports of blue-green algae blooms or related illnesses can be made to the Wisconsin Harmful Algal Blooms Program or by contacting Public Health directly.