Water-related illnesses are caused by germs that live in fountains, spas, pools, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. You can get a water-related illness by swallowing contaminated water, breathing mists, or by other contact with bodies of water.
The most commonly reported illnesses are gastrointestinal, including diarrheal illnesses caused by Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli. Other water-related illnesses are respiratory, skin, ear, eye, and neurologic infections. In the past two decades, Oregon has seen an increase in the number of recreational water illness outbreaks associated with swimming.
Safe Water Practices Current Recreational Advisories