Water Recreation Health and Safety

Great Lakes Beach Water Quality

• Monitoring reports

  • Lake Michigan and Lake Superior beach reports

• General information

  • Great Lakes Information Network

  • Great Lakes Beach Association

Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Information

Are you (or your pet) going to be swimming in an inland lake or pond? Watch out for scummy looking surfaces, and always be sure to wash off after swimming.  For more information, click on a line below. 

• DNR brochure about blue-green algae

• Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services safety guidelines concerning blue-green algae

Healthy Hot Tubs and Pools  

• Waterborne illness info 

  • Legionnaires' disease (Legionella)

  • CDC Recreational Water Illnesses web page 

• Waterborne illness prevention

  • CDC recommendations

• Pool or hot tub (spa) maintenance

  • Guidance for Swimming Pool and Spa Operators (CDC) 

  • National Spa and Pool Institute 

General Swimming Information and Safety

• American Red Cross water safety web page

• EPA's Beaches web page

• CPSC "Pool Safely" web site

Phone Numbers

• City of Milwaukee Health Department (Questions about health issues related to recreational water) (414) 286-3521

• Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services (Complaints and Licensing Inquiries) (414) 286-8674

• 24-hour Pool Hotline (414) 257-7230