Whihala Beach East and West in Whiting were closed Wednesday after water testing showed higher than normal bacteria levels.
It’s the first beach closure of the season for the East beach, where a Tuesday morning sample showed bacteria levels exceeded 2,000 cfu/100mL. Whihala Beach East has issued eight advisories in 2015 due to high bacteria levels.
Under Indiana Recreational Water Standards, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires beach managers to post an advisory or close their facilities whenever a sample exceeds 235 cfu/100mL.
A Tuesday sample at Whihala Beach West also showed bacteria levels had exceeded 2,000 cfu/100mL. It has had one previous closure this season — on July 15 — and it has experienced four previous precautions when bacteria levels have risen above 2,000cfu/100mL. Whihala Beach West has issued 17 advisories so far in 2015.
According to IDEM’s BeachGuard website, the source of the high bacteria levels is unknown.
The beaches are tested daily by the City of Whiting. It was unknown how long the closure will last.
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