Health officials lift Boardman River no-contact advisory after sewage leak

September 2, 2026 - 04:11

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. -- The Grand Traverse Health Department has officially lifted the no-contact advisory for the Boardman and Ottaway River system, which had been in place since a sewage leak was reported earlier this month.

The advisory was issued after an equipment failure at a local wastewater facility allowed untreated discharge to enter the waterway. During the alert, residents and visitors were told to avoid any direct contact with the river, including swimming, wading, and fishing, due to the risk of bacterial contamination.

According to health officials, recent water samples taken from multiple points along the river now show bacteria levels within state safety standards. The decision to lift the advisory came after two consecutive rounds of testing returned clean results.

While the immediate health risk has passed, officials are still advising people to use common sense when recreating in the river. They recommend avoiding swallowing river water and washing hands thoroughly after any time spent in or near the water. Pet owners are also reminded to keep animals from drinking directly from the river for the next few days.

The source of the leak has been repaired, and the facility is back to normal operation. The health department thanked the public for their patience during the advisory period and stressed the importance of reporting any unusual discoloration or odor in the river to local authorities.