E. Coli Spikes At Two Shrewsbury Lake Quinsigamond Sites: Town

SHREWSBURY, MA — Locals should avoid contact with two Shrewsbury water bodies due to high levels of E. coli, town officials say.

The high bacteria levels were found at Gauch Park along Lincoln/Main Street on the north end of Lake Quinsigamond and at the Oak Island Boat Ramp on Flint Pond. Signs were posted at both sites on Thursday to warn visitors.

"Town officials encourage individuals and their pets to avoid contact with both bodies of water, including fishing, until further notice," the town said in an advisory.

The Worcester Division of Public Health the Shrewsbury Board of Health routinely test water quality at public areas around town and issue advisories as needed. E. coli can cause severe gastrointestinal illness that can, in rare cases, lead to a life-threatening kidney infections.