MILWAUKEE -- Warmer temperatures may be a plus for comfortable swimming, but warmer weather is not necessarily good news for safe swimming.
McKinley Beach in Milwaukee is one of several Wisconsin beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline that are under cautionary advisories.
The Milwaukee Health Department issued the advisory for McKinley because of increased levels of bacteria, which multiply more in warm water.
"Swim at your own risk," health department director Paul Biedryzcki tells TODAY'S TMJ4. "Observe good hygiene practices. Exposure to the bacteria can cause rashes or lead to gastro-intestinal problems, like diarrhea and vomiting."
Biedryzcki adds that rain is an additional threat to water quality - but not because what's falling from the sky is dangerous. Instead, the runoff from the rain picks up whatever litter, fertilizers and waste that are in yards, fields, streets, docks and beaches.
Besides McKinley, local health departments have issued advisories for Zoo Beach in Racine County, as well as North Lake Beach and Harrington State Beach in Ozaukee County.
Click here to view beach conditions in your area.
