The Washtenaw County Health Department has once again closed the swimming beach at Independence Lake County Park after routine water testing detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. The repeated closures have prompted questions from residents about why Independence Lake seems to experience the problem more often than other area beaches. Health officials acknowledged sewage can sometimes be a source of E. coli, but said previous research points elsewhere in the case of Independence Lake. Residents can check for reopening updates on the Washtenaw County Health Department website at https://www.washtenaw.org/health-departmentFeatured photo: A view of the swimming beach at Independence Lake County Park in Whitmore Lake. Photo courtesy of the Washtenaw County Health Department.