Community Corner

Branford Point Re-Opened to Swimmers

Further investigation ensues regarding cause.

Just before 1:30 p.m. today, Alex Cinotti, Assistant Director for East Shore District Health Department learned that beach swimming area could be re-opened to swimmers after tests came back showing the bacteria levels had decreased to a safe, acceptable level.

Alex Paluzzi, Director of the said lifeguards have been at the beach all day turning away swimmers while the area was still closed. After learning the news that beach can be re-opened, Palluzzi said the lifeguards will be back to work as usual.

Still unsure of the cause of the raised bacteria levels that have , Cinotti said that the ESDHD with Lauren Brooks leading the charge, will continue to explore the source of contamination. You can learn more about the research done so far .

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Brooks is looking at the amounts of human and animal waste in the water as well as rainwater run-off as possible causes of bacteria. There is even some hypothesis that the proximity of the Branford River dumping into the cove could be the source of the heightened bacteria levels.

"We are doing a sanitary survey," said Cinotti, "of the area and we're taking a look at the hydro-geography and trying to figure out if there is a possible way of knowing [the cause of the bacteria]."

Find out what's happening in Branfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additionally, the ESDHD will be testing the water every Monday for bacteria levels and Brooks will continue to explore exactly what is in the waters before moving onto the possible cause of contamination.


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