GLIN==> Your Voice Needed: Register by Sept. 21 to Protect Recreational Water Quality

Alliance for the Great Lakes

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lyman Welch
lwelch at greatlakes.org


Your Voice Needed: Register by Sept. 21 to Protect Recreational Water Quality

Anyone interested in offering guidance to the U.S. EPA as it develops new water quality standards to protect swimmers' health must register by Monday, Sept. 21.

The EPA has scheduled a public meeting in Chicago on Oct. 6 and 7 to hear from those interested in lending their voice to an issue that affects beaches and public health nationwide.

The federal Clean Water Act requires EPA to develop water quality criteria that reflect the latest scientific knowledge, and to base those criteria on pollutant concentrations and the effects on environmental and human health.

EPA plans to discuss several key issues at the meeting, including whether and how criteria should be set to protect children, as well as rapid methods for water quality testing.

"The Alliance urges EPA to ensure that the new criteria will address all health threats, and quickly notify the public when beaches are unsafe," said Alliance Water Quality Program Manager Lyman Welch, who will represent the Alliance at the meeting. "EPA must do more to protect everyone who enjoys swimming and other recreation on the Great Lakes."  

Though many Great Lakes beaches are safe for swimming and other recreation throughout most of the summer beach season, beaches in other communities are shut down because of unacceptably high levels of bacteria, viruses and algae blooms.

"Everyone who uses nearshore areas for recreation - including kayakers and swimmers - is at risk if polluted water is present," Welch said, noting that children are the most susceptible because of their smaller size, developing immune systems and likelihood to swallow water when swimming.

Beach pollutants can linger in water and wet sand, prompting water quality advisories and beach closures. High levels of beach pollutants can cause illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, headache and fever.

To register for the meeting: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/recreation/oct2009/index.html#registration
For more information on Great Lakes beach health: www.greatlakes.org/beaches

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Formed in 1970, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is the oldest independent citizens' organization in North America. Its mission is to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife. More about the Alliance for the Great Lakes is online at www.greatlakes.org. 


Susan Campbell
Communications Manager
Alliance for the Great Lakes
414-540-0699
Visit http://www.greatlakes.org
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