Wilton Health Dept Temporarily Shutters Merwin Meadows Pond

WILTON, CT — The town Health Department has ordered Merwin Meadows pond closed for swimming due to E. coli contamination, effective immediately and until further notice.

Wilton Parks and Recreation staff will be on site to notify the public.

The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health has established E. coli as the indicator organism used for monitoring swimming water quality in freshwater. During routine, weekly testing of Merwin Meadows pond, the samples were tested for E.coli and found to be at an unacceptable level, according to a news release from the First Selectwoman's Office.

Contamination of swimming water can come from many sources, but Health Department director Barry Bogle is blaming a recent flock of geese for the failed test results.

The Health Department will conduct resampling early next week.

Steve Pierce, director of Wilton Parks and Recreation, said that staff are actively working to keep geese away from Merwin Meadows and the pond, and will continue to do so.