#Maine #Beach Monitoring Season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day

"This is a public resource provided by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for Maine's coastal beach monitoring results and advisories and closures.

"Maine's Beach Action Value (BAV or safety threshold) for Enterococcus bacteria in marine waters is 104 MPN/100mL. MHB recommends posting an Elevated Bacteria Advisory when results are ≥ BAV. Posting decisions are made by participating Management Entities, which are the towns, parks, or associations responsible for managing the beach."

Currently (as of 8/22/2024), 8 beaches have elevated bacteria advisories.

https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/healthy_beaches/public/status-table.html

#Enterococci #SewageRunOff #MaineBeaches #OceansAreLife

#KennebunkportMaine officials warn against swimming in #BatsonRiver and #LittleRiver due to bacteria

July 24, 2024

"#Kennebunkport officials have issued an advisory, asking people to avoid swimming and other water-based activities in the Batson and Little rivers at #GooseRocksBeach.

"Officials say in addition to repeated results showing human bacteria in the Batson and Little rivers, the most recent testing has shown elevated levels of #enterococci bacteria in these rivers.

"The town says they have increased their weekly testing at the Batson and Little river sites to twice weekly.

"Earlier this month, another advisory was issued for the #KennebunkRiver. The town's #wastewater treatment facility has not been working properly and they had no choice but to put the partially treated waste into the Kennebunk River."

https://wgme.com/news/local/kennebunkport-officials-warn-against-swimming-in-batson-and-little-rivers-due-to-bacteria-goose-rocks-beach-maine-enterococci-bacteria-kennebunk-river-maine-wastewater-treatment-facility

#SummerInMaine #Vacationland #WaterIsLife #WalkersPoint #FecalMatter

High #bacteria levels prompt #beach closures across several US States

NEW YORK, July 2:

"Several states have closed beaches to swimmers in recent days due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water, posing health risks to #beachgoers.

"In #Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health (#MDPH) reported closures at 37 beaches as of Monday afternoon due to 'bacterial exceedance.' High levels of fecal bacteria were detected, prompting warnings against swimming or entering the water to prevent potential illness.

"Meanwhile, in #Coronado #California, three beaches have been closed since June 26 due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards, according to the San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality. These closures are typically linked to sewage or chemical spills.

"In #NewYork’s #SuffolkCounty, an advisory was issued last week against bathing at 63 beaches due to increased bacteria levels caused by heavy #rainfall and #stormwater runoff.

"Officials in Massachusetts identified the bacteria as enterococci, commonly found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The presence of enterococci suggests possible contamination of water bodies by fecal waste, as noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

#Enterococci bacteria can cause various infections, including urinary tract infections and potentially severe conditions like blood infections and endocarditis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

"Heavy rains following prolonged droughts can wash animal or human excrement into water bodies, including oceans, while overwhelming sewage systems may lead to untreated sewage contaminating the water.

"Additionally, Massachusetts reported closures of two beaches due to high levels of #cyanobacteria, also known as #BlueGreenAlgae. Although not infectious themselves, cyanobacteria can produce #toxins harmful to humans upon ingestion, causing symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, and skin irritation."

Read more:

https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/high-bacteria-levels-prompt-beach-closures-across-several-us-states/#google_vignette

#ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #WaterIsLife #WaterPollution #Extinction