An evaluation of sanitary and environmental survey use to protect beaches in the Great Lakes basin

Beaches are important for recreational and economic purposes. Beach advisories represent significant potential for human health risks as well as adverse impacts on local economies. The International Joint Commission’s Health Professionals Advisory Board (HPAB) and the Great Lakes Beach Association (GLBA) collaborated to assess the binational extent, experience, and effects of Great Lakes Beach Sanitary Surveys (BSS) in the United States and equivalent Environmental Health and Safety Surveys (EHSS) in Canada. A working group of HPAB and GLBA members distributed a questionnaire to beach managers around the Great Lakes. A total of 34 responses were received from beach programs and groups in each Great Lakes state in the United States and from Ontario, Canada. While 68% of respondents indicated surveys were conducted annually, at least 26% indicated they were not. Most beach monitoring programs around the Great Lakes used surveys to identify Canada geese (85% of programs), gulls (74%), stormwater runoff (74%), runoff from parking lots (59%) and algal blooms (58%) as sources of fecal pollution and potential health threats. Sewage (44%), dog fecal droppings (41%) and dangerous currents (32%) were also commonly reported. Waterfowl control actions after BSS/EHSS were the most common mitigation activity (65% of programs). Beach landscaping (50%) and sand grooming (47%) were also common mitigations. These results indicate the need to encourage use of BSS/EHSS more strongly, ensure beach programs have sustainable resources for BSS/EHSS, and ensure BSS/EHSS guide follow-up studies or mitigation actions.