Puffer’s Pond Remains Unsafe for Swimming
Puffer's Pond. Photo: amherstma.gov
Town water testing at Puffer’s Pond on August 4 exceeded state safety limits for E.coli at the south beach. Sampling at the north beach produced a reading for E. coli of 166.4 MPN/100 ml, and the sample at the south beach yielded a result of 2419.6 MPN/100 ml. The state allowable limit for safe swimming is 235 MPN/100 ml.
Swimming is not recommended at the pond, and signs have been 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 had been closed to swimming for three of the last four weeks, due to 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.