Fecal Bacteria Found In Stonington Neighborhood's Water

STONINGTON, CT — Residents and business owners in the Wequetequock Cove area of Stonington are raising concerns after finding out that fecal bacteria has been found in well water and the cove, according to reports.

Sonya Swinaber, owner of Stonington Veterinary Hospital, said that water quality has long been an issue. Her business' well contained saltwater from the ocean, she told Fox 61.

Fecal coliform bacteria is often found in the feces of warm-blooded animals. The cove's water received a D- grade last year from the Save the Sound Water Quality Report Card, Fox 61 reported.

The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District has been awarded a $47,250 grant by the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund to find answers. The funds will be used by the Wequetequock Cove Clean Water Coalition to organize and inform the public, The Day reported.

The coalition's platform includes preventing pollution from entering the cove through natural solutions like rain gardens and stopping untreated sewage from entering the groundwater by updating septic systems, according to The Day.

First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough said at a Wequetequock Cove Clean Water Coalition meeting earlier this week that the town has reached out to the state Department of Public Health about the issue and would be willing to reach out to water suppliers Aquarion Water Co. and Westerly Water as well.

Read more at Fox 61 and The Day.