With this first day of summer, 2013, the City of Milwaukee Health Dept. wants residents to know it now posts updates about water quality at local beacheson both signs at each Milwaukee beach and online.
Scientists with the city and UWM Zilber School of Public Health test the water at Bradford, McKinley and South Shore beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Analysts look for contaminants that might sicken people. If any are found, crews post signs at the sites within 24 hours.
The health dept. uses the DNR's colored-coded system to notify the public about water conditions:
GREEN - minimal risk of illness
YELLOW - elevated risk of illness
RED - swimming discouraged
The DNR also posts water quality conditions at beaches statewide.