Nearly 20 beaches across Massachusetts closed due to elevated bacteria levels

Eighteen beaches were closed across the Commonwealth Tuesday, largely because of elevated bacteria levels in the water. 

The closures are displayed on the state’s Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard, which warns the public not to swim or enter the water at closed beaches due to the risk of illness. The reason for closure of all but two beaches was marked as “bacterial exceedance.”

The seemingly large number of closures is nothing the state hasn’t seen before. On one day in July last year, there were 53 beach closures, while around the same time in 2022, 40 waterfronts were closed concurrently, a spokesperson with the Department of Public Health (DPH) said.

The closures come just over a week after the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) opened 81 state beaches and waterfronts for the summer on Memorial Day weekend.

Unsafe water can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory symptoms

Bacteria levels can be elevated after rainstorms and due to factors like algae blooms, malfunctioning septic systems, and wildlife waste, according to DPH. Beaches are sometimes closed preventatively before rainstorms or after them because rain washes bacteria and other nutrients on land into the water, the DPH spokesperson said.

Unsafe levels of bacteria in beach water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting; respiratory symptoms like a sore throat and runny nose; skin rashes; and fever, according to DPH. Children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness. 

Most beaches in the state are tested once a week, but frequency can vary based on how likely the beach is to have quality issues. Both public and semi-public beaches are tested. Fourteen beaches currently closed are state-owned. 

Two beaches were closed for reasons other than bacterial exceedance, according to to the water quality dashboard. Lake Mansfield was listed as closed for “other” reasons and Cochituate State Park Beach was closed because of a “harmful cyanobacteria bloom.” Cyanobacteria can be toxic to humans and animals.

Beaches will reopen once water test results show that bacteria concentrations are within the acceptable range, according to DPH. Laboratory analysis takes about 24 hours. 

Here are the beaches closed as of Tuesday

Ashby

• Damon Pond Beach

Ashland

• Hopkinton Reservoir-Main Beach
• Hopkinton Reservoir-Upper Beach

Clarksburg

• Mauserts Pond

Great Barrington

• Lake Mansfield
• Old Maid’s Park

Greenfield

• Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach

Lynn

• Lynn Shore Beach

Natick

• Cochituate State Park Beach

Quincy

• Wollaston @ Channing Street
• Wollaston @ Sachem Street

Saugus

• Pearce Lake @ Breakheart Reservation

Templeton

• Beamans Pond – Campground
• Beamans Pond – Day Use

Townsend

• Pearl Hill Pond Beach

Westford

• NVSR: Tiki Pond 1

Winchester

• Shannon Beach @ Upper Mystic

Worcester

• Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach

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