E. Coli levels have spiked again at Lake Darling, and swimming is not recommended at the beach for the sixth consecutive week.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the recent samples from Lake Darling showed the highest E. Coli level so far this year. The figures show E. Coli per 100mL of water increased to 17,000 last week, over 10 times higher than any other measurement this year. The highest previously recorded measurement this year was 1700 on July 15. Each of the last three weeks of samples collected have exceeded the acceptable level for safe swimming of 235. The beach will not be safe for swimming for at least five weeks, when the most recently collected sample leaves the five-week average.

Beach monitoring and E. Coli sampling is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Lake Darling is one of 15 state parks with beaches that currently have levels where swimming is not recommended.