Swimming has been restricted at Beach 3 at Presque Isle State Park after water testing revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, according to park officials.
The restriction began at 11:03 a.m. on July 29, following test results that showed an E. coli count of 1,007 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the threshold for restricted swimming.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Presque Isle State Park announced that swimming is prohibited at Beach 3 until follow-up testing confirms bacteria levels have fallen below safe standards.
The Erie County Department of Health guidelines places beaches under Restricted Swimming when E. coli levels reach or exceed 1,000 CFU per 100 mL of water.
Water quality testing is conducted twice weekly throughout the swimming season to help protect public health. Following the elevated result at Beach 3, daily re-testing will be performed to monitor conditions and determine when swimming can safely resume.
While visitors cannot to enter the water at Beach 3, the beach itself will remain open for activities such as sunbathing and other shoreline recreation. This restriction only affects Beach 3 and all other beaches along Presque Isle are open to swimmers.