Due to a sewer main break near South Airport Road Tuesday that resulted in raw sewage entering the Boardman River, the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) has issued a Level 4 no-body contact advisory for Boardman Lake and the Boardman River from the lake downstream to East Grandview Parkway.

Under the alert, which GTCHD issued "out of an abundance of caution," residents and visitors are strongly advised to avoid all body contact with water in the affected areas - including swimming, wading, and paddling - until further notice.

"Contact with water contaminated by untreated sewage may pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal illness, skin irritation, and infections," according to GTCHD. "The advisory will remain in effect until water quality testing confirms that the affected waters meet Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) standards for safe recreational use."

Water sampling will be conducted Wednesday, August 26, with results expected to be available by August 27. EGLE has been contacted and is aware of the situation. In response to a question from The Ticker about possible impacts to Grand Traverse Bay, into which the Boardman River empties, Health Officer Mike Lahey shared the following:

"At this time, with the amount of raw sewage spilled compared to the gallons of fresh water in Boardman Lake and the river, (there is) no alert for the beach. We will be pulling together sampling down the river for the next few days, and if we have any concerning numbers that far down river, we will issue an expanded alert. But at this time, the solution to pollution is dilution and we are optimistic that it will dissipate by that time. But we will be sampling and monitoring in the meantime to be assured of that approach."