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Eighteen Massachusetts beaches are abruptly shut due to an 'unsafe' amount of bacteria in the water
Almost 20 beaches in Massachusetts have closed due to an excessive amount of bacteria in the water, per the state's Department of Public Health (DPH).
A report from the DPH's Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard on Tuesday found that 16 beaches were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels, exceeding the acceptable limits.
The dashboard is updated twice daily, at 9:30 am and 12: 30 pm.
Two other beaches were also closed due to harmful algae blooms or other unspecified reasons.
'[The dashboard] will tell you which beaches are open or closed,' the dashboard, run through Mass.gov, said. 'If a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness.'
Almost 20 beaches in Massachusetts have closed due to an excessive amount of bacteria in the water, per the state's Department of Public Health (DPH)
A report from the DPH's Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard found that 16 beaches were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels, exceeding the acceptable limits
Among the closed beaches are popular spots like Lynn Shore Beach, Wollaston Beach in Quincy, and Hopkinton Reservoir in Ashland.
The DPH warned that swimming in these 'unsafe waters' could lead to health problems, including illnesses related to your digestion, breathing, skin, and even flu-like symptoms.
These closures come just over a week after the Department of Conservation and Recreation kicked off the summer season by opening 81 state beaches for Memorial Day weekend.
Unfortunately, rain seems to be the culprit behind the recent beach closures, according to DPH as it can cause bacteria levels to rise in the water.
However, the department also said other reasons for closures can include harmful algae blooms, malfunctioning septic systems, or animal waste contaminating the water.
The beaches will be reopened for swimming as soon as the bacteria levels drop back to safe levels, according to DPH.
Out of the closed beaches, 14 are actually managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
They take water quality seriously and conduct weekly tests throughout the summer season, starting from the week before Memorial Day and continuing through Labor Day.
These tests measure bacteria levels to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Damon Pond Beach in Ashby, both the main and upper beaches at Hopkinton Reservoir in Ashland, and Mauserts Pond in Clarksburg are temporarily closed.
In addition, Old Maid's Park in Great Barrington, Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach, and Lynn Shore Beach are closed.
Pictured: Map of the beach closures across Massachusetts
Wollaston beaches at Channing & Sachem Street in are also closed Quincy. Other closures include Pearce Lake in Saugus and Beamans Pond for both Campground & Day use in Templeton.
Pearl Hill Pond Beach in Townsend, Shannon Beach in Winchester, and Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach in Worcester are closed. These beaches are all managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
In addition, Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington is closed for other reasons, and Cochituate State Park Beach (Natick) is closed due to harmful algae blooms.