LORAIN, OHIO — A national report released in July by Environment America reveals significant contamination concerns at Lakeview Park Beach, where more than half of the water quality tests conducted in 2024 showed levels of bacteria exceeding federal safety standards.
The report, titled “Safe for Swimming?”, analyzed water sampling data from beaches across the country. According to the findings, 61 percent of U.S. beaches tested last year had at least one day where fecal bacteria concentrations surpassed the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended safety threshold, known as the Beach Action Value.
At Lakeview Beach in Lorain, 37 out of 58 samples collected during the 2024 swimming season tested above that threshold, representing approximately 63 percent of testing days. These levels of contamination indicate a heightened risk of illness for swimmers, especially young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.
The Beach Action Value is used by health departments to determine when bacterial contamination may pose a danger to the public. Exposure to such water can result in gastrointestinal illness, respiratory infections, or skin rashes.
Officials from Lorain County Public Health regularly monitor bacteria levels at local beaches and post results online. While individual days may show safe readings, consistent exceedances like those seen at Lakeview in 2024 highlight an ongoing public health challenge.
Lakeview is not alone. The report found that 453 beaches across the country had unsafe bacteria levels on at least 25 percent of testing days, placing them in a higher-risk category.
Environmental advocates say these issues often stem from stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, and aging infrastructure that allow waste to wash into recreational waters after rain. They are calling for increased investment in green infrastructure and pollution controls.
While Lakeview Park Beach remains a beloved destination for Lorain residents, the report’s findings suggest swimmers should stay alert to public advisories and check water quality updates before entering the lake.