Headlines have filled newspapers over the years in Manitowoc County: “Beaches Closed Due to E Levels. coli”, “Five beaches tested dangerous for E. coli bacteria” and “Eight county beaches closed due to bacteriological testing”. All these headlines are from the same year! It's pretty terrible to watch the 5 p.m. news and see closed beaches and contaminated water. Lake Michigan is one of the primary sources of water, beauty and tourism for lakefront cities and counties like Manitowoc. Bad water and beaches affect many aspects of life in the county. The Wisconsin DNR should change the way it cleans the beaches and water of Lake Michigan, and not just in Manitowoc County, because the well-being of the people, land and attractiveness of Wisconsin are at risk. The fact that Lake Michigan and its beaches in Wisconsin It is not a mistake, every year the same unfortunate thing happens. The beaches are closed one after the other. This past “summer” season this happened multiple times across the state. The number of closures for the month of May 1 to October 1 was 123 beaches. The number of warnings due to E levels. coli totals 281 (“Wisconsin Beach Health”). The total number of closures in Manitowoc County alone was thirty-six. That represents about 30% of closures statewide. The number of warnings was forty-two, or approximately 15% of the warnings statewide. It is quite obvious that out of seventy-two counties in Wisconsin, eleven of which are lakeside counties, Manitowoc is by far the one where the beaches are closed the most. This is a real disaster considering that tourism is one of Manitowoc's most profitable revenues. Another problem for Lake Michigan and its beaches is the problem of blue-green algae. As stated on the Wisconsin DNR website, "In Wisconsin... middle of paper... it's up to the government and the DNR." The facts prove that Michigan took advantage of every government grant and funding available to it. It obviously worked, as evidenced by their crystal clear water. Wisconsin could mirror this exactly and perhaps the water could become less cloudy and brown, which most people would agree is not a bad idea. Works Cited “Beach Advisory Report”. Wisconsin Beach Health. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 01/10/2011. Internet. November 15, 2011. “Blue-green algae in Wisconsin waters.” » Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, nd Web. November 15, 2011. “Protection and Restoration of the Great Lakes.” » Department of Environmental Quality. State of Michigan, nd Web. November 15, 2011.Smarr, Matt. “Coastal Management Program”. Department of Environmental Quality. State of Michigan, nd Web. November 15 2011.