About the BeachesAlert System
This site contains information about Indiana’s coastal and inland beaches. Indiana BeachesAlert can provide you information about beach advisories, closings, sampling schedules, E. coli testing results, beach signage, and various beach amenities. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) works with local organizations to perform beach water quality monitoring and notification activities.
Want to know more about a particular beach? Check out the Beach Information and Amenities site at: in.gov/idem/4151.html
If you have questions or would like more information about the Indiana Lake Michigan Beach Monitoring Program, please call the IDEM Northwest Regional Office at (219) 757-0265.
About E. Coli
E. coli (Escherichia coli) is the indicator bacteria used to determine potential human health risk in beach recreational waters. Using guidelines established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), IDEM requires that either an Advisory or Closure be issued at a beach whenever a single sample result exceeds the 235 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 mL maximum standard.