Puffers Pond Exceeds State Bacteria Limits for Safe Swimming
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Town water testing at Puffers Pond on July 27 exceeded state safety limits for E.coli at the south beach. Sampling at the north beach produced a reading for E. coli of 13.4 MPN/100 ml, and the sample at the south beach yielded a result of 1178 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.
Puffer’s Pond was closed to swimming two weeks ago, also for high E. Coli counts at South Beach.
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.