Saginaw River E.coli levels prompt health advisory

Saginaw County health officials are warning against recreational use of the Saginaw River after massive rain induced sewage overflows brought E.coli levels to more than three times the level considered safe.

Any recreational use of the river may result in health hazards, including gastrointestinal or dermatological illnesses, the Saginaw County Health Department warned Friday.

On Saturday rain overwhelmed the sewage system for the city of Saginaw and forced the release of 45 million gallons of partially treated sewage into the Saginaw River.

Bryant Wilke, environmental health services director for the Saginaw County Health Department, said full body contact with the river should be avoided and that swimmers are at high risk for swallowing the harmful bacteria or getting in in their ears.

“Head contact is a real concern,” Wilke said. “Also hand contact and hand to mouth contact.”

Anyone that touches the river should wash thoroughly, he said, and those who wade in the river should consider carrying hand sanitizer and applying it to their lower bodies.

Wilke said he expects the health advisory will have minimal impact on the Dow Bay City River Roar, a boat racing event scheduled for Bay City this weekend. Bay City sits at the mouth of the Saginaw River.

This week the Bay City water treatment plant announced that the municipal water had exceeded the allowable limits for trihalomethanes — a by product of the water disinfection process that is thought to cause cancer.