Manchester's Crystal Lake public beach to remain closed
Jun. 19—The public beach at Crystal Lake is closed to swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, according to the Manchester Health Department.
The public beach at Crystal Lake will remain closed to swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, the Manchester Health Department said Wednesday.
The elevated bacteria levels were first identified in water samples taken on Monday. Additional testing performed Tuesday revealed the high levels have yet to dissipate.
Water samples taken at other locations on Crystal Lake did not have elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
The health department will resample water from the area on Thursday, and results from those samples are expected Friday.
Once E. coli levels are found to be acceptable, the public beach will be re-opened for swimming.
According to city data, the left side of the beach tested at 192 E. coli bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, with the right side testing at 20 E. coli bacteria per 100 milliliters.
State law sets a maximum contaminant level of 88 E. coli/ml for recreational purposes such as swimming or fishing. Ingestion of contaminated water can lead to diarrheal illness and infections to the ear and skin.
The city tests more than 60 pools and spas as well as bodies of water. Several other locations across Manchester registered high levels of E. coli bacteria during rounds of testing this week, according to the city's website.
The following water samples were each collected June 17:
—Merrimack River — Fisher Cat Ramp E. Coli per 100 ml — 488;
—Merrimack River — Arms Park E. Coli per 100 ml — 37;
—Merrimack River — Chauncey Ave. E. Coli per 100 ml — Lake North Side 20, Lake South Side 15;
—Merrimack River — Front Street E. Coli per 100 ml — 12;
—Piscataquog River — Boat Launch/Trestle E. Coli per 100 ml — 5;
—Piscataquog River — Upland Street Beach E. Coli per 100 ml — Lake Right Side 4, Lake Left Side 12;
—Piscatoquog River — Bass Island E. Coli per 100 ml — 37
