Archival Test Data is now available for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 seasons
Call 264.5628 to report any Water Quality or Storm Water issuesHave Swimmers' Itch? Learn more about that here
Again this summer, the Town of Colchester is testing the water along its 27 miles of shoreline in Malletts Bay and the Broadlake. Our goal is to keep beach goers informed of water safety conditions and to identify possible problem sources of harmful bacteria.
Twelve water samples from 9 different sites are tested twice a week for the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. Coli). E. Coli is a very effective indicator for the possible presence of more harmful bacteria that can cause human health problems such as gastrointestinal dysfunction (gastroenteritis). The Vermont State Health Department recommends not swimming in water where E. Coli levels are higher than 77 colony forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water. Vermont is one of the most stringent states in the nation in this regard as the National standard is 125 CFU.
For the general areas of the lake along Colchester's shores, when water samples come back
with E. Coli levels higher than 77 CFU/100mL, a USE CAUTION advisory
is indicated for that particular region. There are three regions for which
general advisories will be made.
• The 'Broadlake' area, from the old railroad causeway west and south.
• The 'Outer Bay' area, from the old railroad causeway to Malletts' Head.
• The 'Inner Bay', from Malletts' Head east to the Bay Road.
For Bayside Beach and Rossetti Natural Area , multiple samples are taken each testing day. If two or more of the samples have unsafe E. Coli levels, the affected beach will be closed until new tests come back with safe E. Coli counts. Signs indicating that the water is unsafe to swim in will be posted at each beach and the message on the phone number (264.5628) will be updated. THIS SITE IS UPDATED LATE IN THE DAY SO CHECK THE BEACH OR THE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFO.
.AS A GENERAL RULE: Swimmers should always stay clear of streams, and where streams and storm drains flow into the lake. A distance of at least 100 feet from stream and drain outflows is advised. Swimmers should also avoid swimming after rainfall for at least 1 - 2 days.
If
you have any questions or comments, please call Steffen Parker, Water Quality
Coordinator
264.5628 or email at sparker@colchestervt.gov
