All,
First of all, thank you for your cooperation and patience over the past couple of days.
As of 12:30 pm Friday, both beaches at East Boston Camps have been re-opened for swimming (Boys Main Beach & the Day Care Beach). Laboratory results from Thursday's re-sampling came back well within acceptable Ecoli levels for recreational use of the water. Both beach areas will be re-tested for Ecoli on Monday as part of the Westford Board of Health's (BOH) weekly testing program. Generally EBC's are exceptionally clean.
Although the exact reason Ecoli levels were so high is unknown at this time, spikes in bacterial levels happen frequently when there are bacterial exceedances. Bacteria can die off very quickly when the water temperature is low and the source is removed. The most common reason for spikes is when there is rainfall in the area of the beach. Rainfall will carry bacteria from a large geographic area and deposit it in the nearest water-body, where beaches can reside. There can be other reasons for the spikes as well, such as wildlife and domestic pet waste.
Ecoli is found in human and animal intestines. Ingestion of polluted water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If an individual is symptomatic, families should share the information on possible exposure with their provider. Please see the attached Q&A provided by the Department of Public Health for additional information.
Please forward this email and attachment to anyone interested and feel free to contact the Health Department with additional questions. Thank you.
Sandy Collins, R.N.
Director of Health Care Services
Town of Westford Health Department
Tel: 978-399-2908
Fax: 978-399-2565
Darren R. MacCaughey
Director of Environmental Services
Town of Westford Health Department
Tel: 978 692 5509
Fax: 978 399 2558
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