Puffer’s Pond Is Safe for Swimming

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 North Beach on Aug. 17 yielded a reading of 93.3 MPN/ 100 mL and sampling at South Beach produced a reading of 48.1 MPN/100 mL. The state allowable limit for safe swimming is 235 MPN/100 mL.

The geometric mean for the last four readings at North Beach was 37.03 MPN/100 mL, and the geometric mean for the last four readings at South Beach was 121.69 MPN/100mL. The state threshold for safe swimming for geometric mean is 126 MPN/100 mL.

In Massachusetts, public bathing water quality standards require tracking the geometric mean alongside single samples. The geometric mean uses the most recent five sample results within the same calendar year to reflect typical baseline water quality over time rather than a single isolated spike.

Puffer’s Pond has been under a no swimming recommendation for four of the last five weeks due to high E. Coli counts. Puffers pond was closed for much of last summer due to high E.coli counts.

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.

The Amherst Public Health Department is responsible for deciding whether to close 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.