Chicago’s Montrose Beach is under swim advisory August 1st due to water quality

August 1, 2023 brought another swim advisory to a Lake Michigan beach in Illinois. Montrose Beach was under a swim advisory because, as noted on the Chicago Park District site: “Water quality warrants caution. Water failed to meet federal quality standards.”

While many of us who live on the shores of the Great Lakes love a day at the beach, swimming, boating or just splashing in the waves, 36 of 38 Illinois beaches tested were potentially unsafe at least one day in 2022. Montrose Beach saw 14% of testing days with potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination last year.

The last thing you want to be worried about when enjoying a beautiful summer day is water pollution that might make you sick. Luckily, by investing in nature-based solutions and repairing aging systems we can do a lot to protect and improve water quality at our beaches. Environment Illinois Research & Education Center’s new Safe for Swimming? report has recommendations for local, state and federal government action to do just that.

Photo by Emily Kowalski | TPIN

Keeping your family safe at the beach

Next time you are planning a day at the beach, make sure to equip yourself with information to keep you and your family safe by checking the status of beach advisories and closings before you leave home.

For Chicago Park District managed beaches you can check any active advisories for the beach you plan to visit on their website. For current beach advisories and closures across the state visit Illinois Department of Public Health.