(CBS) – The International Joint Commission, a joint project of the USA and Canada, is calling for more detailed water analyses of our lakes.

Commission reports show that water testing in Michigan could be improved.

“Unfortunately, sometimes today’s beach closures or beach warnings are based on yesterday’s water quality problems,” says Allison Voglesong Zejnati, public affairs specialist at the commission.

The International Joint Commission reports that about 200 of Michigan’s 600 beaches were tested for bacteria last year. Most tests look for indicators of pollutants, not individual bacteria. The commission wants to see more accurate testing and faster results.

“They do some water quality tests, send the result to the lab and use petri dishes and microscopes. We have to do a bacterial culture to find out the amount. Then the next day, maybe 24 to 48 hours later, they can determine if the amount in the water is too high,” said Voglesong Zejanti.

Experts say the danger to people and pets enjoying one of Michigan’s 600 beaches is not just the smell of lake water.

“People get gastrointestinal illnesses or diarrhea,” said Professor Joan Rose, who conducts water research at Michigan State University. “But you can also get respiratory illnesses, eye infections, ear infections and skin infections. So there’s a whole range of illnesses caused by contaminated water.”

The commission’s goal is to reduce the number of people who fall ill each year and to learn more about the pollutants in our waters. Professor Rose tells CBS News Detroit that many unsavory things can float in the water.

“One of the problems is that sewage carries hundreds of different pathogens,” she said. “It could be viruses, bacteria or parasites, and these organisms can cause all kinds of diseases.”

CBS News Detroit has reached out to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to learn more about testing improvements but has not received a response.

You can learn more about water quality testing at BeachGuard.