Elevated bacteria levels found in Lake Pacawa

PORTAGE COUNTY — The Portage County Division of Public Health is advising residents to take caution when swimming or wading in Lake Pacawa.
On Aug. 10, 12 Portage County beaches were tested for E. coli levels. Out of the dozen beaches tested, Lake Pacawa was the only elevated result.
Bukolt Park, Collins Park, Iverson Park, Jordan Park, Mead Park, Lake Du Bay, Lake Emily, Lake Helen, Peterson Park, Sunset Lake, and Wolf Lake all tested safely below the limit. Bacteria levels should remain below 235 MPN/100 mL to remain the safe category, with the highest beaches in the safe category being Iverson and Jordan Park testing around 105 MPN/100 mL. Lake Emily tested the lowest detectable number for the bacteria with a result of 3.1 MPN/100 mL. Peterson Park and Sunset Lake’s test results came back with no bacteria detected.
Lake Pacawa tested much higher than the others, with a result of 727 MPN/100 mL. Caution should be taken in the water when bacteria levels test between 235 and 1,000 MPN/100 mL. Anything that tests higher is not recommended for swimming.
Lake Pacawa was re-sampled on Aug. 12 and results are pending.