High Bacteria Closes Several Beaches In Worcester County: State DPH

WORCESTER, MA — Several local beaches were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels following heavy rainstorms, according to the state Department of Public Health.

DPH monitors water quality at scores of public and semi-public beaches across the state, looking for pollutants like E. coli bacteria and cyanobacteria. When the water quality is unsafe, state officials post signs warning swimmers that there may be something harmful in the water.

As of Wednesday, the beaches at Regatta Point on Lake Quinsigamond, Whitehall Pond Beach in Rutland, Upton Town Beach and South Pond in Brookfield all had postings warning swimmers of potentially unsafe water. The postings at each beach were due to "bacterial exceedance" — except Upton, where the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae was detected.

Causes of excessive bacteria entering the water include stormwater run-off, failing or malfunctioning septic systems, sewer overflows, leaking sewer pipes, wildlife and pet waste and agricultural runoff, according to DPH.

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.

DPH updates its water quality tests each day. You can check which beaches have warnings here.