Swimming Not Recommended at Puffers Pond
Photo: Pixabay.com. Creative Commons
Source: amherstma.gov
Swimming is not recommended at Puffer’s Pond due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. The latest water quality test results show that the water does not meet state standards for safe swimming conditions. Sampling at the North Beach on July 13 yielded a reading of 30.9 MPN/ 100 ml which is within the state’s prescribed limits but the reading at the South Beach produced a reading of 980.4 MPN/100 ml. The state allowable limit for safe swimming is 235 MPN/100 ml.
Signs will be posted at both beaches.
The Town conducts weekly water quality testing during the swimming season (Memorial Day – Labor Day). Results are typically posted by Wednesday afternoon on the Puffer’s Pond website.
Puffers pond was closed for much of last summer due to high E.coli counts.
The Amherst Public Health Department is the entity charged with making the decision about closure for swimming and is the point of contact for questions. The Public Health Department can be contacted by emailing publichealth@amherstma.gov or calling 413 259 3077.