PARK DISTRICT UNVEILS PILOT PROGRAM FOR RAPID WATER TESTING
“SWIM CAST” PREDICTIVE MODELING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT 63RD STREET BEACH
Release Date: 07/11/08
On Friday, July 11 at a press conference at 63rdStreet Beach, the Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Timothy J. Mitchell announced a new pilot project for rapid water testing, “Swim Cast” Predictive Modeling System.
“We have more than 20 million people hitting one of Chicago’s 23 swimming beaches during the season,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Tim Mitchell. “We will continue to act as proactive beach managers and implement aggressive programs that help reach our goal of having the beaches open for swimming as often as possible.”
Predictive modeling is a type of rapid method water testing, where recreational swimming water is tested, measuring water and weather conditions to predict water quality at a certain beach, giving real time results. The current water testing method used is approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) but has a slower result turn around time of 18-24 hours. Manufactured by Remote Data, Inc., the system will be used at 63rdStreetBeach for a trial period to determine its potential ability to accurately predict the indicator bacteria levels in daily water sample tests during the swimming season.
The beach monitoring system includes sensor and data logger equipment that collects relevant data from the beach. The onsite equipment was installed with a protected solar panel to power the system at the end of the breakwater at 63rdStreetBeach and the collected data is sent via cellular modem to a computer to the ChicagoParkDistrictAdministrationBuilding. The system software will then enter the data into a modeling formula and a predicted amount of Escherichia coli (E. coli) will be given every four hours for comparison to the traditional water sample test results. Once the predicted results are over 90% accurate, the Park District may be able to issue swim actions in the morning and afternoon based on current water conditions.
Park District water quality testing is in part funded by USEPA Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) act funding which is awarded to eligible coastal and Great Lakesstates, territories, and tribes to develop and implement beach monitoring and notification programs. This grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH.) This year the Park District was awarded $80,000.
"Beach predictive modeling is a great tool to help ensure the health and safety of people visiting Illinois beaches. Our beaches are a great resource and this grant will ensure continued monitoring of Chicago's beach water quality and public notification when the water quality is in question," said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The success of this pilot project will support the Chicago Park District’s goal of having the beaches open for swimming as often as possible during the beach season. Additionally, the Park District is implementing the following environmental beach initiatives in efforts to keep beaches clean and safe for everyone to enjoy:
Border collies will be at 57thand 63rdStreetbeaches this summer to help eliminate the draw of a “safe harbor” at the beach for ring-billed gulls from dawn until dusk everyday.
- The gull population was managed through an integrated collaborative program with the City’s Department of Environment and the Chicago Park District called the Ring-billed Gull Management Program. Wildlife Services biologists will coat gull eggs with corn oil, which limits air movement through the shell, preventing the eggs from hatching. The oil will not harm adult gulls or other wildlife and is approved by the Humane Society.
- Last October, the Park District board of commissioners passed a measure that prohibits smokingat beaches, playgrounds, and playlots.
- Participating in the USEPA BeachSanitary Surveyat 63rdin 2007 and expanding to additional sites this year as part of a Great Lakescollaboration
- New beach comberswill be used with a 12-inch rake attachment that will dig deeper into that sand allowing the beach area to be cultivated and open for air and the suns’ UV rays in an effort reduce the amount of E. coli trapped in the sand and leaching into the water.
- The use of an organic cleaning solution called MiraGreenfor underpasses this summer to decrease chemicals in storm water that flow into the lake.
- Chicagoans will see “BigBelly” trash containers– solar powered trash compactors that support fuel conservation and decreased emissions – at select beaches.
- A waste recycling programproviding covered and weighted recycling and waste containers along the lakefront will help minimize the food sources that attract gulls to the beaches.
- Continued five-day testing of water quality with the same three-tier alert system used by surrounding Lake Michigancommunities to issue swim bans and inform beach goers of bacteria levels. This summer, beach visitors can call the ChicagoParkDistrictBeachHotline at 312-74-BEACH or check www.chicagoparkdistrict.comfor the swim status at each beach.The IDPH and the USEPA support the notification system that calls for a swim advisory to be issued when readings fall between 235 and 1,000, which are counts of the bacterial colonies that have formed per 100 milliliters of water. A swim ban is issued if the E. Colilevels reach over 1,000. The advisory or swim ban will remain in place until bacteria levels fall below 235.
The following flag notification system tells patrons the current status of beaches:
·Green Flag– Swimming is permitted. Water is calm and quality is safe based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
·Yellow Flag– Advisory is in effect. Caution is advised. Water and weather conditions are unpredictable. Restrictions may be implemented. Increased risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
·Red Flag– Swim ban in effect due to severe weather and/or water conditions, which may be hazardous. Serious risk of illness may be present based on recent monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
For a list of locations or for more information, visit the Park District website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call the Beaches and Pools Unit at 312-742-5121.
For more information on the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.comor call 312-742-PLAY.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529