Gross Truth: Illinois and Wisconsin Lakes May Be Dirtier Than You Think

Before you dive headfirst into a lake in Illinois or Wisconsin this summer, you need to be aware there may be something far grosser than seaweed waiting for you in the water.

Lake Water Problems

I have loved swimming ever since I was a young kid, but now that I'm older I'm far more picky about the water I'm jumping into.

Every time we are at our family's lake house in Wisconsin, I don't often get in the water, which is something my husband likes to constantly razz me about.

Yes, I will stand in the water, but I rarely go deeper than my knees, because I'm not a fan of seaweed and murky water. Now I'm afraid that something far grosser is lying in that lake water and will probably never go in it again.

Fecal Contamination in Illinois and Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers

Simply put, I am not okay after reading a WGN article today that said;

A stark 1,930 out of 3,187 beaches sampled across the nation in 2024 experienced at least one day on which indicators of fecal contamination exceeded federal safety levels, a new report has revealed.

Yes, unfortunately, we're talking about poop in Illinois and Wisconsin bodies of water, and no amount of antibacterial wipes are going to be able to cleanse that thought from my head, but this line made me feel a little better:

The Gulf Coast had the biggest share of beaches with at least one unsafe day in 2024, reaching 84 percent, followed by the West Coast, with 79 percent, and the Great Lakes, with 71 percent.

I don't often visit beaches along the Great Lakes in Illinois or Wisconsin, and the research found that they weren't the most frequently contaminated in the country, so maybe we can relax a little?

While this news is unnerving, I still don't think we should let it ruin our beach-going fun. Just pay attention to safety warnings and beach closures, and always make sure to shower immediately when you get home...just in case.