Update: Health department lifts swimming advisory for five St. Clair County beaches

The St. Clair County Health Department has cancelled swimming advisories for five local beaches due to elevated E. Coli levels.

The affected beaches issued swimming advisories Thursday were Keewadhin, Lakeside, Holland Road, Lighthouse and Marine City. The advisories were related to the heavy rainfall from Aug. 15, which caused impaired water quality.

At this time, all public beaches are open for swimming, the health department said in a Friday statement.

Water samples must test below 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters for the water to be considered safe for swimming.

The St. Clair County Health Department shares advisories to its "St. Clair County Beaches" Facebook page.

E. coli bacteria are common microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and indicate the presence of fecal contamination. Elevated E. coli levels are possible after storms or strong winds because the bacteria can be carried in storm runoff, drained from creeks and ditches and stirred up from waves.

The St. Clair County Health Department advises people not swim on days where there is heavy rainfall or strong winds.

The St. Clair County Health Department's Environmental Health Division monitors water quality at eight public beaches in St. Clair County for the presence of E. coli bacteria from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: E. coli found at five St. Clair County beaches