Photo Credit: Chicago Park District
As one of the largest park systems in the country, the Chicago Park District continues to set its sights on ways to maintain water quality at its 26 miles of lakefront, 24 beaches, and 10 harbors. Through a number of initiatives that prevent pollution and work to protect public health, the efforts seem to be paying off, as there has been a reduced number of swim bans and swim advisories at the beaches.
Water quality is generally impacted by weather, wildlife, and people’s behavior. Since these beaches are rarely impacted by sewage and there are almost no significant outflows, the district focuses on what it can impact—people and wildlife—while sampling the water to determine the levels of potential contaminants.
Limiting Litter
Controlling and reducing trash is a top priority for beach health and cleanliness. First, sand groomers are employed daily at each beach during the season, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The groomers not only pick up litter from the beach, but also turn the sand, exposing it to the sun and air, which reduces the amount of bacteria. All of the beaches have ample trash and recycling containers with lids to prevent scavenging from animals and birds. These containers are removed from the beaches daily—and as many as three times a day in the summer.