Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming
Puffers Pond. Photo: amherstma.gov
Town water testing at Puffers Pond on June 2 exceeded state safety limits for E.coli at both the north and south beaches. Sampling at the north beach produced a reading for E. coli of 307.6 MPN/100 ml and the sample at the south beach yielded a result of 770.1 MPN/100 ml. The state allowable limit for safe swimming is 235 MPN/100 ml. The town has not posted an advisory concerning swimming at the pond as of this writing (2:00 p.m. on June 6). Puffers pond was closed for much of last summer due to high E.coli counts.
Read weekly testing results here.
And so it begins. One of our most loved and used recreation areas will probably be unsafe for swimming for much of the summer. Like the issue of the potholes, the town has done very little (if anything at all) to fix this problem. But hey, we’re going to have a new library.
You know it’s June when the bacteria notices go up like clockwork. A good indicator of the towns intentions to fix the problem is the permanent metal bacteria warning sign.
I was waiting for this. Yes, it’s so great that some time in the future we’ll get a new library/ indoctrination center that will raise taxes a lot. As a lover of books, I’ve been amazed at how many wonderful books I’ve picked up for a pittance at the ongoing library sale, hard to get and graphically rich volumes.
Often the library’s only copy. I’ve also noticed how much room there is in the stacks. Sorry we cant afford to clean up the water. We’re busy tearing down old beautiful buildings. Leaky roof? Tear it down! Who needs all those old books? It’s a brave new world! Besides our green agenda doesn’t include clean water as a priority. We have to purify your mind. That’s the priority. We’re the most virtuous town in America!
Can we advocate for more and consistent testing upstream. If it linked to rain, there must be a point/ several points were there is a wash off from somewhere. Testing should be done simultaneously at different points upstream to see if the source of contamination is local or not. What we do know is that there is a correlation between rain and high bacteria count
I haven’t been a big fan of the demolition/addition of the Jones Library (but want a home for Special Collections and the Civil War tablets that will protect them from the elements) but I take exception to the idea that it is or will be an indoctrination center. Public libraries are worth our dollars and our support.
I don’t like the potholes in town – it makes driving less safe.
And we have been waiting a long time now for a Waste hauler plan. We can start with a category of users and then go from there – but please let’s start.
Without more comprehensive testing (upstream, and esp. after heavy rain) I don’t see that many times this summer when Puffers will be swimmable. It is such a special place in town.
It doesn’t look good for swimming in Puffer’s Pond, AGAIN. Closed to swimming in June? This problem has gone on for YEARS and what action has toen taken? Not a damn thing as far as I can tell. Now I read, there’s not even money appropriated for the testing of water upstream. The high E. coli levels June 2nd were before anyone was even swimming. It seems most likely this E. coli is coming from failed septic tanks or sewer leaks upstream.
The poor water quality in puffs pond is an equity issue. Not everyone can afford to take a beach vacation . Amherst without Puffer’s can be a boring unpleasant hot place in the summer. I don’t consider a hot noisy public pool a great place to swim. A season pass to use Amherst pools costs $259, or $5 per visit. I have noticed people of all ages and races enjoying Puffer’s when it is swimmable. Councilors, do something! Rescue our little bit of paradise. I can read books online, but I can’t swim online. I have been swimming in Puffer’s for 60 plus years, but this looks like the end.
Expanded testing is needed in order to prioritize remediation steps. This additional testing has not been conducted. If human-specific markers like caffeine and optical brighteners (from laundry) are found along with E.coli, that strongly indicates failing human septic systems, not wildlife. The Amherst Department of Health partners with the Conservation Commission to manage water testing of Puffers Pond.