By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov, Great Lakes Echo
This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.
Nearly half of Great Lakes beachgoers rarely or never check water quality before swimming, according to a new study by researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
The study analyzed responses from more than 4,500 adults living in Great Lakes states and Ontario who participated in a 2024 regional survey by the International Joint Commission.
“We wanted to take a closer look at people’s behaviors related to beach water quality,” said Ian Young, an associate professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health at TMU.
The study, published in Environmental Research Communications, revealed several notable differences among beachgoers, including age, recreational habits and where people live.
One of the most notable findings involved older adults.
“The big one that stood out was age,” Young said.
Compared with other age groups, people 55 and older had the lowest likelihood of regularly checking water quality before entering the water.
Boaters were another group less likely to seek out water quality information.
The study found that people who use boats were less likely to look for water quality information than others.
Tiffany Cao, a master’s student in the School of Occupational and Public Health at TMU and the study’s lead author, said that may be because many boaters do not see themselves as directly entering the water.
“However, they can still be exposed to contaminated water through splashes or airborne particles from harmful algal blooms,” she said.
Many beachgoers also rely on visual cues such as water clarity or appearance when deciding whether it is safe to swim.
The authors said that approach can be misleading because harmful bacteria such as E. coli cannot be seen with the naked eye.
“Sometimes we can just look at the water or smell the water and make those decisions,” Cao said.
“But that’s not recommended as the number-one way you should be looking at water quality,” she added.
The research also identified regional differences. Residents of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois were among those most likely to seek out water quality information before swimming, while those in Ontario, New York and Pennsylvania were among the least likely.
Cao said a variety of factors could help explain those differences, including local water quality concerns, shoreline development and how familiar people are with nearby beaches.
People who frequently visit the same beach may rely on past experiences or visual observations rather than checking official advisories, according to the researchers.
The issue could become more important as climate change extends beach seasons and draws more people to the water.
Young said heavier rainfall can increase pollution levels in beach water.
“If we have extreme rainfall, we can see spikes in pollution at beaches immediately following that,” he said.
The authors said warmer temperatures may also contribute to harmful algal blooms and other water-quality concerns.
They noted that contaminated water can expose beachgoers to a range of illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections that can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
To reduce those risks, the researchers recommend checking local water quality advisories before swimming.
Young said beach condition updates are available through government agencies and other organizations.
In the United States, people can find updates through the Environmental Protection Agency and local health departments.
In Canada, many residents use Swim Guide, which compiles water quality data from multiple sources.
“People can check and make an informed decision on whether their local water quality agency, or whatever agency is monitoring their local beaches, says it’s safe to swim,” Young said.
However, those updates are often spread across multiple websites and agencies.
The authors said a more centralized and consistent information source could make it easier for people to access current conditions and plan their beach visits accordingly.
