Summer Bacteria Monitoring Starts

As water recreation season ramps up, we’ve begun our bacteria monitoring program. The first results are in and all sites were below the EPA recommended threshold for primary water recreation (i.e. swimming). We’ll continue to test throughout the summer and share results on Facebook, Instagram, and our website. Thanks to our volunteers for making this program possible!

Sites tested:

✅ Shirttail Point
✅ Bishopswood Camp
✅ Narrows Bridge
✅ Norton Pond Swimming Area/Breezemere Park
✅ Main St./Rte 173 Bridge in Lincolnville
✅ Barrett’s Cove
✅ Hodson Park
✅ Hosmer Pond Swimming Area

And now for the small print 🙂

**Note that the units the lab measures for bacteria samples are MPN or Most Probably Number, which is equivalent to the standard unit of Colony-Forming Units (CFU). MWA utilizes the standardized EPA "Beach Action Value" criteria of 190 CFU/100ml for collecting and analyzing bacteria samples. Anything higher than 190 CFU is a failing sample which means there is an increased health risk associated with water contact, and anything below 190 CFU is a passing sample which means there is a lower health risk.

**There are inherent risks associated with open water swimming and recreational contact including, but not limited to, bacterial infections.

**Bacteria levels can change, particularly as a result of significant rain events.

**To reduce risk of infections, always rinse off after swimming, avoid swimming with open wounds, avoid water contact for 24-48 hours after a significant rain event or if the water looks overly brown or green, and always obey signage and local laws whenever swimming in open water. Please note that not all test sites are designated swimming areas.

**Samples are collected by volunteers using established protocols and analyzed at the Rockland Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Thanks for reading!