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ENJOY THE WATER AND STAY HEALTHY

Swimming and other water-related activities are enjoyable ways to spend a summer day. However, many people have become sick from germs found in contaminated recreational water.

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) are the various illnesses caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, waterparks, hot tubs, interactive fountains or water play areas (spray parks), lakes, rivers, or oceans.

To ensure a healthy swimming experience every time, some precautions should be followed to prevent RWIs:

Three Steps for all Swimmers

  • Don't swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Don't swallow pool water.
  • Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Children

  • Take your kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
  • Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
  • Wash your children thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before they go swimming.

Public Health Madison and Dane County sanitarians conduct monthly inspections at public pools to check safety and water quality issues. For more information, go to PHMDC pool page.

All public beaches in Dane County are monitored by Public Health - Madison & Dane County. During the swimming season (Memorial Day - Labor Day), Public Health conducts water quality testing at 13 Madison beaches, the UW Union beach and two Dane County beaches.

For more information, go to PHMDC beach page.

For more information about healthy swimming visit: CDC's Healthy Swimming website at www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming The Environmental Protection Agency's beaches website at www.epa.gov/beaches.

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EATING FISH FROM DANE COUNTY LAKES AND RIVERS

Can my family eat any fish I catch in local waters?

The answer depends on several things:

  • The type of fish
  • How often it will be eaten
  • Who is eating the fish

For example, it is recommended that women of childbearing age and children under 15:

  • should not eat Muskie.
  • should not eat walleye more than once a month.
  • should not eat bluegill more than once a week.

Many types of fish caught in local lakes and rivers may have high levels of pollutants such as mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Pregnant women (and the babies they carry), women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 are most at risk for health problems from these chemicals. These pollutants can affect fetal and childhood development and have other health impacts. So it's important to understand potential risks and specific guidelines for eating fish caught in local waters.

For more detailed information on specific guidelines for different groups of people and different varieties of fish, see the following links: