Eighteen Massachusetts beaches are abruptly shut due to an ‘unsafe’ amount of bacteria in the water
Nearly 20 beaches in Massachusetts have been closed due to excessive bacteria in the water, according to the state Department of Health (DPH).
A report from the DPH’s Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard on Tuesday found that 16 beaches were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels, which exceeded acceptable limits.
The dashboard is updated twice a day, at 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
Two other beaches were also closed due to harmful algae blooms or other unspecified reasons.
‘[The dashboard] will tell you which beaches are open or closed,” according to the Mass.gov dashboard. ‘If a beach is closed, you should not swim there or go into the water to avoid the risk of illness.’
Nearly two dozen beaches in Massachusetts have been closed due to excessive bacteria in the water, according to the state’s Department of Public Health (DPH).
A report from the DPH’s Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard found that 16 beaches were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels, which exceeded acceptable limits
Among the closed beaches are popular spots such as Lynn Shore Beach, Wollaston Beach in Quincy and Hopkinton Reservoir in Ashland.
The DPH warned that swimming in these “unsafe waters” can lead to health problems, including illnesses related to your digestion, breathing, skin and even flu-like symptoms.
These closures come just over a week after the Department of Conservation and Recreation kicked off the summer season by opening 81 state beaches for the Memorial Day weekend.
Unfortunately, rain appears to be the culprit behind the recent beach closures as it can cause bacteria levels in the water to rise.
However, the department also said other reasons for closures could include harmful algal blooms, malfunctioning septic systems or animal waste contaminating the water.
According to DPH, beaches will reopen for swimming once bacteria levels return to safe levels.
Of the closed beaches, 14 are actually managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
They take water quality seriously and conduct weekly testing throughout the summer season, starting the week before Memorial Day and continuing through Labor Day.
These tests measure bacteria levels to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Damon Pond Beach in Ashby, both the main and upper beaches of Hopkinton Reservoir in Ashland, and Mauserts Pond in Clarksburg are temporarily closed.
In addition, Old Maid’s Park in Great Barrington, Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach and Lynn Shore Beach are closed.
Pictured: Map of beach closures across Massachusetts
Wollaston Beaches at Channing and Sachem Street in Quincy are also closed. Other closures include Pearce Lake in Saugus and Beamans Pond for both camping and day use in Templeton.
Pearl Hill Pond Beach in Townsend, Shannon Beach in Winchester and Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach in Worcester are closed. These beaches are all managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
In addition, Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington is closed for other reasons, and Cochituate State Park Beach (Natick) is closed due to harmful algae blooms.
