Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the summer temperatures continue to rise in Western New York, Buffalo residents return to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Woodlawn beach State Park exceeded water safety limits on more days than any other beach in 2024.
“Even as Buffalonians are back to enjoying the fresh breeze and splash of waves at their favorite Lake Erie and Lake Ontario beaches, pollution is still plaguing too many of the places where we swim," said David Masur, advocate for the Environment New York Research & Policy Center. "Now is the time to fix our water infrastructure and stop the flow of pathogens to our beaches.”
The issues with the water come from sewer problems along with other fecal matter that caused water to be unsafe for people to swim in.
"Our researchers looked at tests for bacteria that indicate the likely presence of fecal matter and pathogens at over 335 New York beaches." Masur said. "Now let's just say swimming in poopy water is just plain gross, and it causes an astonishing number of people to get sick every single year."
Dr. Sam Moore who works in primary health care and is a Buffalo native said that the Safer Swimmer Report noted that half of public beaches in New York State had unsafe levels of contamination. Moore adds onto the potential illnesses that contaminated water could do for people.
"All these have the potential to cause illness, most especially gastrointestinal distress in the form of excessive vomiting and diarrhea, often leading to significant dehydration. Moore said. "Though many of these cases resolve with simple supportive measures at home, many of our more vulnerable populations, especially children, may require admission to the hospital for IV fluids and closer monitoring."
There are ways to clean up the rivers across the country, Masur said the cost will be upwards to $630 billion over the next 20 years.
"These are problems that we can solve, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements, or restoring wetlands, all of these natural or green infrastructure techniques prevent runoff pollution by mirroring nature's ability to absorb heavy rains." Masur said.