Update: Mattapoisett beaches re-open for swimming

Jul 2, 2013

Town Beach and Leisure Shores Beach, which were closed due to elevated bacteria counts were reopened Wednesday following tests which showed the water was safe for swimmers.

The Board of Health announced that Town Beach was closed on Tuesday as well as Leisure Shores. Leisure Shores was closed last week due to high bacteria levels.

The closing was for recreational swimming only.

If the bacteria Enterococci reaches more than 104 colonies per 100 milliliters, the a beach must be closed per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“From what the lab tech told me, they weren’t real high,” said Mattapoisett Board of Health Agent Dale Barrows on Tuesday. “More than likely it’s rain runoff. I’m taking an educated guess that that is the cause.”

Barrows said the presence of Enterococci is not unusual, and Town Beach was closed once last year due to high levels.

Above average levels of the bacteria, explained Barrows, can be dangerous if ingested and for those with a weak immune system or an open wound.

Barrows said he expected Tuesday's resampling of the water at the two beaches to come back negative since the rain had slowed down.

It's all good news for vacationers who are expected to hit local beaches in high numbers for the July 4th holiday.

Town Beach and Leisure Shores Beach are the only two beaches of 19 in town that have been closed this season.