14 MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Blistering Heat Wave

SALEM, MA — Fourteen Massachusetts beaches — including three in Salem — were off limits to swimming on Friday ahead of a blistering heat wave forecast next week when temperatures could hit 100 degrees in Greater Boston for the first time in three years.

Collins Cove, Juniper and Steps in Salem were among those closed. Twelve of the 14 beaches were closed because of high bacteria levels caused by storm runoff and other means of fecal contamination.

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After a pleasant summer weekend with highs in the 80s, the heat will ramp up next week with three straight days of 90-degree highs, including the chance to hit 100 degrees on Tuesday.

Water quality at public beaches in Massachusetts is required to be monitored by local public health departments. When the water quality is unsafe, the beach must be "posted" with a sign indicating that swimming is unsafe and may cause illness.

Walden Pond in Concord is closed for the season because of safety concerns associated with the construction of a new bathhouse.

The other Massachusetts beaches closed include:

• Ashby Damon Pond Beach
• Boston Constitution Beach
• Marlborough Richard P. Sharon Beach
• Nantucket Miacomet Beach
• Revere Short Beach
• Salem Collins Cove, Juniper Point, Steps Beach
• Saugus Peckham Pond
• Templeton Beamans Pond
• Townsend Pearl Hill Pond
• Westminster Crow Hill Pond
• Wintrop Yerrill Beach

The bacteria used as indicator organisms to test the waters at beaches are Enterococci and E. coli. Marine beaches are tested for the presence of Enterococci. Freshwater beaches are tested either for the presence of E. coli or Enterococci.

Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans, often associated with fecal contamination.

An elevated presence of these organisms indicates the water may not be safe for human or animal consumption or contact and cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal pain to eye and ear discomfort to flu-like symptoms.

Most of these symptoms are minor, but occasionally a more serious illness may occur. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious symptoms.

Some beach areas may remain open for recreational activities, though any contact with the water is strongly discouraged.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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