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Dangerous levels of E. coli found in waterways

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More than 3.5 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage and industrial waste were dumped into metro Detroit lakes, rivers and streams because of heavy rains during the past month, leading to beach closures and high levels of contamination at the start of the swimming season.

Since May 7, more than 5 inches of rain has fallen on the area, overwhelming outdated sewage systems that dump a toxic cocktail of rainwater, fertilizers, human and industrial waste, chemicals, parasites and other pollutants into waterways when the retention basins become full.

Full story: Dangerous levels of E. coli found in waterways | freep.com | Detroit Free Press