Lake Quinsigamond E.coli Levels Recede After Sewage Spill

WORCESTER, MA — It's unlikely many people are recreating on Lake Quinsigamond at the moment, but just in case, E. coli levels in the lake have dropped below unsafe levels following last week's sewage spill.

Health officials in Worcester had as of Wednesday received test results showing a drop in bacteria levels. An estimated 193,000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the lake on Feb. 20 after an air release valve failure near 65 Lake Ave.

"On Monday, the Department of Inspectional Services sampled Lake Quinsigamond for E.coli for a third time following the overflow and confirmed the level of E.coli to be below recreational use limits," the city said in a news release Wednesday.

Sewage bubbled up to the street and then flowed into catch basins that drained into the lake, according to city officials. Immediately after, local residents were warned to steer clear of the lake for activities like ice fishing.