Kiwanis Beach on Route 25 in Standish was closed Wednesday due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
Following complaints of stomach cramps from two people who had been swimming at Kiwanis Beach, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) was called in to conduct tests on the water at the beach.
According to DHS Epidemiologist Dr. Andrew Pelletier, the first testing was done last weekend. The highest count of the six samples taken was less than two times the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe swimming standard.
Paul Mosley, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club, said the results of this first round of testing were made available on Monday.
Dr. Pelletier met with Mosley on Tuesday and took a second set of tests. At that time, Mosley addressed the crowd at the beach and told them about the elevated levels. Although some people left, Mosley said, many stayed on the beach or even in the water.
The tests taken on Tuesday, said Pelletier, “showed some improvement.” Out of the six samples taken, four were below the EPA allowed standard.
“Since it’s a private beach,” said Pelletier, “the agency has limited authority to mandate closure.”
Nonetheless, after that second round of testing, Mosley and the Kiwanis Club made the decision to close the beach.
“We decided to close the beach on Wednesday and also today (Thursday) to give the water frontage a rest,” Mosley said. “More tests were taken this morning and we expect the levels to be well within the appropriate range.”
The Kiwanis Club Beach received only two calls reporting illness. Mosley said those that called the town “all came from one specific group.”
“It hasn’t been determined whether it was from the water or something else,” said Mosley.
Trying to track down the cause of elevated levels of E. coli is difficult and sometimes impossible.
Mosley stressed the beach’s clean record. By his recollection, their most recent incident of elevated bacteria levels occurred eight or 10 years ago and was proved to be a food-related illness.
“We will be monitoring swimmers and parents,” Mosley said, “trying to get them to be more cooperative so they’re not doing something in the water they shouldn’t be doing.”
According to Stephen Hooper, chairman of the Kiwanis Beach committee, the group is “exploring baby-changing stations as well as other ideas.”
Hooper also said they’ve decided they will no longer allow diaper-clad infants and toddlers in the water. They now must wear a diaper-like swimsuit.
This is only the latest incident in beach closings due to high bacteria levels. Last week, the Portland Water District closed Sand Bar Beach for two days after finding elevated levels of E. coli there.
Experts believe higher than normal water temperatures and high numbers of swimmers and waterfowl can all contribute to the problem.
Kiwanis Beach in Standish is deserted on a beautiful summer day. The beach has been closed temporarily due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.Send questions/comments to the editors.
