NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
RIVER E-COLI LEVELS AGAIN CLOSE CITY ISLAND BEACHMayor Stephen R. Reed today said the City Island Beach is once again closed to the public due to elevated E-coli levels. Results of the city’s latest water quality tests, taken on Monday, show that the levels have again risen above the state’s maximum quality level of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters, to 560 colonies. Per the state Department of Health’s rules, the beach must be closed until future test levels indicate the rate has fallen below 235 colonies. Testing is being conducted daily as a result, with the next set of results due on Saturday morning. If those tests indicate the colonie level has fallen to below the maximum permissible amount, the beach will be immediately reopened this weekend. Even though the city is required to only test water quality at the public swimming area of the Island, the Mayor directed that additional testing be done on both sides of the Island to provide more factual and timely data about potential water quality problems throughout the river. “It remains a mystery as to why we are having this problem this summer,” said the Mayor. “Over the past 25 years we have never seen such elevated levels nor the frequency of such. Something is clearly amiss in the river environment on the west shore side, and we would hope this will not be an ongoing concern. “The City Island beach officially closes for the season after Monday, Sept. 4, Labor Day. The beach is remaining staffed even during closure Reed said the city is only enforcing a ban on swimming at the public beach area on the northwestern side of City Island, as it has no authority to keep people out of the water elsewhere. “Today’s advisory serves as a warning to all persons that there may be elevated e-coli problems elsewhere in the river, and the public should respond accordingly.” The Mayor said testing will continue frequently over the next several days to determine if the problem is continuing, as it may impact river activities scheduled for next weekend’s Kipona Celebration. Canoe and drag boat races, a bass fishing tournament and the Rubber Duck Regatta are all slated for next weekend. ### |
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