© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cash-strapped Detroit doesn't test water at beach

David Herrera
/
Flickr

DETROIT (AP) - Officials say Detroit stopped testing water at Belle Isle Beach in the Detroit River for E. coli last year because of its financial difficulties.

Vernice Anthony, director of the city's Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, tells the Detroit Free Press that a resumption of beach testing hasn't been discussed but that residents should feel confident about swimming there.

Bruce King, vice president of environmental safety and preparedness at the Institute for Population Health, said Belle Isle Beach doesn't have a history of bacteria-issue closures and that the beach's river location means even problem water would move away quickly.

The state estimates the cost of a season's worth of beach water sampling and testing at between $5,000 and $6,000.

Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection July 18.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.