Contaminated Water Leads To Record Number Of Beach Closures In Minneapolis

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minneapolis park officials say contaminated water led to a record number of beach closures this summer.

Half of the city's 12 beaches were not safe to swim in at various times during the summer. That's the most since Minneapolis started a water sampling program in 2003, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

Park officials say heavy rainfall was part of the problem. Officials say heavy rain brings in storm water runoff and that runoff brings in debris and bacteria from streets and yards.

But officials said goose droppings also contaminated the water at some beaches, as well as people with an illness who got in the water.

Health officials are urging the public to stay out of the water if they're sick and to wait a day to go in the beach after heavy rainfall.