UPDATE: Swim advisory in effect for 8 beaches in St. Clair, Sanilac counties

A swimming advisory is in effect for eight beaches St. Clair County and Sanilac County, according to each county’s health department early Wednesday.

Advisories against swimming were issued for Chrysler Beach in Marysville; Holland, Lakeside, and Lighthouse beaches in Port Huron; and Keewahdin and Fort Gratiot County Park beaches in Fort Gratiot, citing elevated levels of E. coli detected in water samples.

Additionally, Lexington County Park beach and Lexington Beach in Sanilac County have been closed for elevated E. coli levels, according to a Facebook post put out by the Sanilac County Health Department.

In a release Wednesday, the health department stated that E. coli bacteria is a common microbe found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and can indicate the presence of fecal contamination. Elevated levels after strong storms and winds can be carried in the water runoff, including storm drains, and stirred up in waves.

Advisories for St. Clair County’s public beaches are shared online on the “St. Clair County Beaches” Facebook page, as well as the Michigan BeachGuard website at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach .

Beachgoers were advised to watch for updates as the local waters are retested until results fall within an acceptable quality range as advised by the state.

For more information, visit the health department’s environment health division at (810) 987-5306.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: UPDATE: Swim advisory in effect for 8 beaches in St. Clair, Sanilac counties