CAPE VINCENT — Bacteria levels at Wilson Beach have decreased this year but are still high, according to Save the River, an environmental organization based in Clayton.

According to Save the River's 2008 summer Beach Watch Program report, enterococci bacteria levels at the beach spiked above the U.S. Department of Health's swimming water quality standards — 61 colonies per 100 milliliters of water — on July 22. The organization found 80 colonies of bacteria in one of the six samples taken that day. Last year two samples retrieved at the beach showed 130 colonies of bacteria. Enterococci bacteria can cause rashes and gastrointestinal illness.

All samples were taken by volunteers and tested at Converse Laboratories in Watertown. To see the full list of results, visit: www.savetheriver.org/beach

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