Island recovers quickly

The tourist season ended early last year because of a groundwater problem.
PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (AP) -- College students wearing Mardi Gras beads and "Got Beer?" T-shirts have forgotten all about the intestinal illness outbreak that sickened hundreds a year ago, reviving the party atmosphere this summer on the Lake Erie resort of South Bass Island.
Families and children have returned too, pedaling bikes through the quaint downtown and exploring the island's cave.
"The drinking crowd is definitely coming," tavern owner June Stoiber said as she poured three Bloody Marys on Friday morning.
Business was booming this summer at most restaurants, bars and gift shops -- fueled by warm weather, increased advertising and a belief that the island's groundwater problems had been solved.
"If there's surprise, it's how much business came back," said Maggie Beckford, executive director of the village of Put-in-Bay's chamber of commerce. "We thought it would take another season for that happen."
Contamination
The tourist season ended early last year after the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness sickened about 1,400 people last August. Most who said they became sick within two or three days of visiting the island suffered from cramps, diarrhea, nausea, fever and chills.
Ohio's health department found that septic tanks on the island contributed to widespread groundwater contamination that was the likely source of the illness.
While most vacation homes and businesses that cater to tourists draw their drinking water from the municipal system, about 400 use groundwater from wells for drinking and bathing.
The village since has extended its water system to serve some businesses and trucked water to others for drinking. But there still was concern whether the island's only industry would recover.
Bill Blumensaadt, who owns a waterfront restaurant, said that the problem got so much media attention that "in the long run, it may have helped publicized Put-in-Bay."
Back in business
With its village's quaint downtown next to a park, abundance of bars and party atmosphere, the island is sometimes called the "Key West of the Midwest," drawing about 15,000 people by boat on the weekends.
The two largest boat lines that ferry tourists said they've had outstanding seasons.
"We had the busiest July and August that we've had in years," said Julene Market, spokeswoman for Miller Boat Line. The Jet Express made gains too.
Both boat lines said they greatly increased advertising this summer, targeting families.
"I didn't have any worries," said Mark Gilchrist, of Aurora, whose friend was hospitalized for a day last year after visiting the island. He and his wife brought their two sons for a day-trip to begin the Labor Day weekend.
Others weren't so sure.
Lori Roberts-Cobbledick, of Marblehead, brought juice and water just to be safe. "You have to be careful when you have kids," she said. "But it doesn't seem to be a big deal anymore. It's not like it was the plague."
There are still small reminders of the water worries from a year ago. Visitors see window signs in many downtown businesses stating that the shops get water from the city system rather than wells.