Families planning a weekend swim at two popular Lake Erie beaches are being urged to stay out of the water after dangerous levels of E. coli bacteria were detected. According to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Edgewater Beach and Villa Angela Beach, both located in Cleveland, have exceeded safety thresholds for waterborne bacteria, prompting an official water quality advisory.
Recent water testing showed Edgewater Beach recorded 90 MPN/100 mL, exceeding its threshold of 80, while Villa Angela Beach spiked to a concerning 315 MPN/100 mL, far above its limit of 135. The measurement, known as the most probable number (MPN), estimates the number of bacterial cells in a water sample.
Though the beaches remain open, health officials strongly recommend avoiding contact with the water, especially for young children, seniors, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The bacteria can cause serious infections, including severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and urinary tract infections. In more severe cases, E. coli can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s immune system spirals out of control, potentially causing organ failure.
The Nowcast system, used to forecast water quality, flagged these locations based on recent rainfall and wind conditions, which can wash animal feces or sewage into the lake. Contaminated runoff and aging infrastructure are often to blame for E. coli outbreaks.
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that around 17% of those infected with E. coli die, with the highest risk among vulnerable populations. Because the bacteria spread easily—often through contaminated water, food, or surfaces—health experts recommend avoiding water activities, practicing good hygiene, and monitoring any symptoms if exposure is suspected.
Until levels subside, a day at the beach might be better spent on the sand.
