High E. Coli levels detected in Lake Milton

As temperatures continue to rise heading into the summer season, you might decide to take a trip to Lake Milton to cool off.

However, just this week, the lake issued a warning of higher levels of E. Coli in the waters.

Lake Milton State Park Manager, John Trevelline, said, "THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME. I WOULDN'T SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S EXTRAORDINARILY UNIQUE. YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST A SMALL, SMALL WINDOW YOU HAD THIS ELEVATED SAMPLE."

But how exactly does E.Coli end up in a lake? It's more common than you'd think.

"IT CAN COME FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES. WE HAVE DOGS AND THERE ARE WILD ANIMALS THAT ARE AROUND HERE. YOU HAVE STORM RUNOFF WHEN YOU HAVE RAIN LIKE WE'VE HAD RECENTLY. IT'S COMMON FOR THE STUFF ON THE GROUND TO GET WASHED INTO THE LAKE."

Because of this, lake staff collects samples of the water to test for bacteria every two weeks.

"In case high levels were found wE WOULD ASSESS THAT AREA FOR DAYS UNTIL WE GET TO A LEVEL WHERE IT NO LONGER NEEDS TO HAVE AN ADVISORY."

BUT IF YOU'RE PLANming ON TAKING A TRIP TO THE LAKE THIS SUMMER, HOW MUCH OF A CAUSE FOR CONCERN ARE THOSE HIGHER BACTERIA LEVELS?

"WHEN WE GO OUT, WE HAVE TO BE AWARE, ESPECIALLY OF ANY TYPE OF CONTAMINATION THAT CAN BE IN THE LAKE. CHILDREN, ELDERLY, THOSE THAT HAVE UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS, ARE THE ONES THAT SHOULD BE CONCERNED."

Infections come from ingesting the water, normally through the mouth or open wounds.

Symptoms include NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA, FEVER.

IF those symptoms do arise, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR.

During these instances, signs are posted at both ends of the park.

You can also look on the Ohio Department of Health's Beach Gaurd website for any advisories before heading up to the lake