Swimming Advisories Issued For 2 Beaches In New London County

STONINGTON, CT — The Ledge Light Health District has issued swimming advisories for Gorton Pond in East Lyme and Dubois Beach in Stonington.

The district conducted testing Monday and found bacteria levels in the water were higher than the threshold set by the state.

Swimming advisories do not automatically close beaches. The health district stated that, "In general, wading in the water is safe to do under a swimming advisory. Active swimming, including dunking your head underwater, is not recommended."

Retests of water at both beaches will be conducted Wednesday.

"Please be aware that rain or other contamination events that occurred before the routine weekly sampling may have contributed to elevated bacterial counts," the health district wrote. "Areas with stormwater runoff (storm drainpipes or extensive impervious surfaces) or low water turnover (inland bathing areas) are particularly vulnerable to increased bacterial counts following rainfall. We recommend all individuals responsible for the bathing areas take these events into consideration."

Ledge Light Health District conducts weekly bathing water sampling from Memorial Day through Labor Day for the Towns and Cities of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, New London, Old Lyme, Stonington, and Waterford.

More information is available at the Ledge Light Health District's website.