The state standards revised May 2002 call for a concentration of E.coli less than or equal to 235 per 100 ml to be considered satisfactory for a bathing area. 

E.coli counts in fresh water and enterocci in saltwater are considered as indicator bacteria to evaluate water quality.  An E.coli count greater than 235 would close a beach.  The town of Fairfield also closes Lake Mohegan if there is a greater than one inch of rain in a 24 hour period due to run off from adjacent land.

By Connecticut Health Regulations, public town beaches are closed under the following two conditions: 1) Beaches are closed for 24 hours after 1 inch of rain. 2) Beaches are closed indefinitely if E.coli counts exceed 235 CFU's (Colony Forming Units). Note that any count under 235 is acceptable. Less than 10 is like drinking water. 

When town beaches are closed or counts are high, our beaches are "swim at your own risk" until retesting or the town beaches are reopened. Life guards will be instructed to inform people that water quality is poor and they will be swimming at their own risk.

E.coli Test Date: Tues, July 2, 2002
Results Received: Wednesday, July 3, 2002

Beach 1 - 26
Beach 2 - 23
Beach 3 - 21
Beach 4 - 126
Beach 6 - 17
storm drain - 461
Lake Mohegan - 38
Marsh - 261

Water Quality is directly related to the goose population on our lake which is increasing yearly. Please take precautionary methods of deterring geese and implement anti-goose methods on your favorite beach. Ecology Notice

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copyright @ 2002 The Lake Hills Association