CLARK COUNTY — People and their families showed up in droves on Friday afternoon to enjoy some sun and sand at the CJ Brown Reservoir in Clark County– despite a contamination advisory put out earlier this week.
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Many like Sarah Fosnight, a mother from New Carlisle, told News Center 7’s Jenna Lawson that she did not see the yellow sign at the beach’s entrance warning of the high levels of bacteria in the water, but she would look into it more when she and her family returned home.
She said her kids have been hauled up the in house – and it was good to see them having fun.
“Right now, we’re not concerned about it,” she said. “I really don’t know what the risks are, but with everything going on, it doesn’t seem like a big deal.”
The Ohio Department of Health has issued water advisories for Buck Creek near the reservoir and Grand Lake St. Mary’s.
Specifically, a ‘contamination advisory’ has been issued for Buck Creek – which means a warning to swimmers that the level of bad bacteria in the water has reached unsafe levels and could you make sick.
Kids, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are advised not to swim.
Others, like Roy Deaton and his family were also not concerned about the potential for sickness from swimming in the water.
Deaton said his family goes to the reservoir up to four times a week. He said he noticed there were fewer people at the beach on Friday as compared to earlier in the week – but in his opinion, the water actually looked better than a couple days ago.
“I still think people should come out and not be scared of some sign or something,” he said. “Don't ruin your day just because they say there's a little algae in the water.”
The Ohio Department of Health reported that there are 14 total advisories for beaches in the state.