State Posts Cyanobacteria Advisory for Country Pond, Newton

[Brandon-K]

State Posts Cyanobacteria Advisory for Country Pond, Newton

Concord, NH - The N.H. Department of Environmental Services (DES) has issued a bacteria advisory for Country Pond, Newton. The beach advisory was posted on July 24, 2007 and will remain posted until additional samples reveal that Country Pond is safe for recreation. DES advises all beach users to avoid all contact with the water. DES posts advisories when a cyanobacteria scum forms at public beaches. DES will monitor the beach as needed until safe cyanobacteria levels are reached.
DES routinely monitors beaches for cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are natural components of many water bodies in New Hampshire. When cyanobacteria bloom they often form surface scums. Many cyanobacteria contain toxins that are produced and released these conditions. The toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects ranging in severity from skin and mucous membrane irritations, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to liver and central nervous system damage.
DES monitors and inspects public beaches throughout the state to better protect public health. Public beaches are monitored weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Beach users should be on the lookout for cyanobacteria scums. Often they form dense surface scums blue-green in color; or blooms may cause entire lakes to take on a blue-green hue. Sometimes they resemble paint chips or bright green balls floating in the water.
Visit the DES Beach Program website at www.des.nh.gov/Beaches/cyanobacteria.html for photos and more information.
If you notice anything resembling cyanobacteria please refrain from wading, swimming, or drinking the water. Keep all pets out of the water and contact DES immediately.
For additional information about this advisory, please call the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program Coordinator, Sara Sumner, at (603) 271-2658, or Jody Connor, the Program Manager, at (603) 271-3414.