Bacteria counts were so high in Woods Creek Lake at Indian Trail Beach in Lake in the Hills last year that swimming was banned for eight days.

That's despite test results that show the beach should have been closed for 10 days.

graphic Bacterial beaches

Advertisement

External Link ( app.idph.state.il.us ) Illinois Beach Warnings

External Link ( health.lakecountyil.gov ) Lake County SwimCast

External Link ( co.mchenry.il.us ) McHenry County beach testing

PDF File Beach Bacteria Testing

Due to a lag in the time it takes the state to test water samples, beachgoers may be frolicking in filth. Illinois Department of Public Health officials said it can take as much as two days for test results on water samples with dangerously high bacteria levels to be discovered.

"That's one of the flaws in the system," said Melaney Arnold, IDPH spokeswoman.

Read the rest here:

How you could swim in filth at suburban beaches