School/Daycare Immunization Requirements
Annual
Medication/Sharps Disposal Information
Online School Absentee 
Restaurant Inspection SummariesADVISORY
As of August 30, 2011, Silver Lake County Park Beach and Old Settlers Park Beach advisories are good. Ecoli levels meet safe standards for swimming and recreation.
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Beach Information
What causes beach pollution?
Some sources of beach pollution include: urban runoff (domestic wastes, storm water runoff - storm water washes over rooftops, parking lots, roads, picks up fecal matter of dogs, cats, birds, etc.), agricultural runoff (discharges from farm animals, overloaded septic systems), sewage overflows, sewage treatment plant malfunctions, and improperly handled boating wastes.
What illnesses can I get from swimming in polluted water?
Microorganisms found in polluted water can cause flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever. Other germs can cause ear infections, eye infections, and skin rashes. In highly polluted water, swimmers may occasionally be exposed to more serious diseases like dysentery, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever. Viruses that cause infectious hepatitis and polio can be transmitted to unvaccinated swimmers. In rare cases, swimmers can develop infections from exposure to polluted water through an open wound.
Who is responsible for testing the Lake Michigan beaches in Kenosha?
The City Parks Department collects the samples. The Kenosha County Division of Health is responsible for testing the beaches and informing the City Parks Department daily of bacteria counts so that they can post the appropriate signage for beach advisories.
Which beaches are tested?
Alford, Pennoyer, Simmons, Eichelman, and Southport beaches are tested regularly. Because there is no lifeguard duty at Kenosha's Lake Michigan coastal beaches, swimmers enter the water at anytime at their own risk. The water quality is posted daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
What is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Coastal Beach Program?
The Federal Beach Act was passed in October of 2000, requiring States that border coastal or Great Lakes waters to develop beach monitoring and public notification programs. The Beach Act also authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to States that have beaches borderng these coastal waters for the purpose of developing and implementing monitoring and public notification programs. The Wisconsin DNR and its partners have participated in this grant program since the 2002 swimming season. The Wisconsin Beach Monitoring Program was developed in accordance with EPA performance criteria. The Kenosha County Division of Health adheres to the performance criteria for monitoring, public notification, and reporting. The laboratory daily notifies the City, County, and State with beach monitoring results.
How often are the beaches tested?
Simmons and Eichelman beaches are considered medium priority beaches and are tested twice weekly. Ranked as low priority beaches, Alford, Pennoyer, and Southport are tested once weekly. If the water is contaminated at any of the beaches, those beaches are tested daily until the E.coli level returns to below the standard of 235 E.coli/100 ml of sample.
What is criteria for closing a beach?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the E.coli maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml (colony forming units) for a single water sample. The State of Wisconsin adheres to this standard. If this level is not exceeded, a green "Water Quality Notice" sign is posted. If the E.coli level falls between 235 cfu/100 ml and 1000 cfu/100 ml, a yellow "Caution" sign is posted stating that the beach is under a water quality advisory. A red "Closure" sign is posted whenever the level of E.coli in the beach water sample exceeds 1000 cfu/100 ml.
When are the beaches reopened?
When a beach is closed due to contamination, it is tested daily until the standard of less than 235 E.coli/100 ml sample is once again achieved. The green "Water Quality Notice" sign will once again be posted when the water condition is good.
What are E.coli and can they make you ill?
E.coli are found in feces of animals, including humans. E.coli bacteria do not necessarily make people sick, but they do indicate that other, harmful microbes are likely to be present.
How do I find out if a Lake Michigan beach is closed?
Call the Kenosha County Division of Health with your questions Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Call either the general information number at (262) 605-6700 or the Laboratory at (262) 605-6705. In Kenosha County, call toll free (800) 472-8008. The County and State websites are updated daily and, therefore, have the latest available advisories. The Kenosha County website is: www.co.kenosha.wi.us. The State of Wisconsin beach website is: www.wibeaches.us.
Are Kenosha County's inland lake beaches tested regularly?
The Kenosha County public park beaches are tested regularly on a monthly basis during the summer months. Residents with homes or subdivisions bordering private lakes are also encouraged to test their beach water monthly. Beach kits are available from the Kenosha County Division of Health Laboratory at a cost of $20.00/sample.