A rendering of a remotely-operated warning light for beaches. PC: Fox 11 Online
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Door County may install remotely-operated warning lights to update water conditions on five beaches.
Door County has worked with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to test the water at 25 beaches for bacteria which could make swimmer sick.
“When a beach tests positive, staff needs to update the signage at the beach. This requires physically going back to the beach and placing signage. Since tests take one day to process, there can be a delay in posting a warning or beach closure. In working with UW Oshkosh, they have found a technology that would allow signs that could be update remotely. We would like to try a pilot of the technology at five beaches,” said County Administrator Ken Pabich, in a memo to supervisors.
The county estimates the equipment would cost about $30,000 to install, plus another $10,000 for operations. Pabich proposes using ARPA funds for the project; which was initially broken into categories by the county board.
The five beaches proposed for the pilot program are:
- Otumba (City of Sturgeon Bay)
- Sister Bay Beach (Village of Sister Bay)
- Egg Harbor (Village of Egg Harbor)
- Frank Murphy (County Park)
- Ridges Park (County Park)
If approved, the signs could be in place for the summer, the memo states.
“We could do the pilot this year, ensure the technology works the way we would like it to work, and if we think it’s successful then we could expand it to more beaches in the future.” said Pabich.
The County Board is expected to discuss the pilot program at its meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
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