Chicago beach ranks among nation's worst for water pollution

August 7, 2007 (WLS) -- A new list is out of the beaches with the worst water quality. One Chicago beach is among the worst in the nation. Jackson Park Beach is ranked No. 6 in the US for water pollution.

It may be a boiling hot day for a swim, but what Matina Lutfi and her daughter don't know is that the beach they were on Tuesday is ranked one of the worst in the nation.

"I have a child and want to know that she is safe going in the water," said Lutfi.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council's 2006 report, Jackson Park Beach is ranked sixth in the nation and the worst in the Midwest. That's because 54 percent of its water samples exceeded the national standard.

"We have been doing this for 17 years. We have never seen so many excedances in all of that time nationwide. In Chicago the numbers are up," said Ann Alexander, National Resources Defense Council.

The nationwide report shows that Ohio had the most dirty water with a 22 percent rate of closures. Indiana ranked second. Illinois was third, up 1 percent from last year. Wisconsin was 12th.

But it's not all bad news. Higher closure rates mean more tests are being done.

The Chicago Park District tests its 32 beaches five times a week.

"So, I think it's unfortunate that other beach communities who don't test enough or as much as what we are doing are being compared to us, because in some ways we have more information," said Ellen Sargent, Chicago Park District.

The NRDC says 98 percent of the pollution comes from water runoff and sewage problems, so it is calling for better buffering and infrastructure at beaches all over.

But a recent study reviewed by Chicago's park district suggests more then half of E. coli comes from bird or seagull waste, so the park district is having border collies scare the birds away.

"So they won't loaf, and if they are not loafing ,they are not eating and wasting on the beach," said Sargent.

Lutfi says no matter where the pollution is coming from she hopes the situation improves at Jackson Park.

"This is the benefit of living in Chicago, having access to the beach, and this is the closest one to where we live," Lutfi said.

The cleanest Chicago-area beach with no closures in 2006 was the Wilmette Gilson Park dog beach. Chicago's popular North Avenue Beach had an average ranking of being closed 11 percent of the season.

You can read more about the rankings on the NRDC website.

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