Swimming Now Allowed at Puffer’s Pond
Puffers Pond. Photo: amherstma.gov
Swimming is now allowed at Puffer’s Pond. The latest water quality test results for Puffer’s Pond show that both South Beach and North Beach meet state standards for safe swimming conditions.
While the pond was closed to swimming last week due to high E. Coli counts, the latest water quality test results show that both beaches are well within the state’s allowable limits for safe swimming. Sampling at the North Beach on July 20 yielded a reading of 34.5 MPN/ 100 ml and sampling at the South Beach produced a reading of 45.7 MPN/100 ml. The state allowable limit for safe swimming is 235 MPN/100 ml.
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.