Over 50 Massachusetts beaches were closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria in the water Saturday, which was expected to be a big beach day statewide as temperatures soared into the 90s.
The water quality at public beaches in Massachusetts is required to be monitored by local public health departments. When the water quality is unsafe, the beach is required to be “posted” with a sign that indicates swimming is unsafe and may cause illness.
Here is the full list of beaches that had active water quality posts as of 8:20 a.m. Saturday, according to the state's website. Of note, a spokesperson for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) said Revere Beach has been cleared for swimming Saturday after recent testing.
| Municipality | Beach | Beach Type | Posting Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agawam | Robinson Pond Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Ashby | Damon Pond Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Ashland | Hopkinton Reservoir - Upper Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Athol | Ellis Beach | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Beverly | Brackenbury | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Beverly | Dane Street - Bathhouse | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Beverly | Mingo | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Beverly | Obear Park | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Beverly | Woodbury | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Boston | Constitution Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Boston | Malibu Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Boston | Savin Hill Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Boston | Tenean Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Brookfield | South Pond | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Charlemont | Cold River Pool (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Chatham | Bucks Creek | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Clarksburg | Mauserts Pond (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Concord | Silver Hill Association | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Dennis | Clipper Lane | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Dennis | Follins Pond | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Duxbury | Landing Road | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Duxbury | West End | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Falmouth | Old Silver - Public Beach North | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Framingham | Learned Pond Beach | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Framingham | Waushakum Beach | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Gardner | Dunn Pond (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Hingham | Martin's Cove | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Hingham | North Beach | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Lynn | Kings Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Lynn | Lynn Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Marshfield | Green Harbor | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Mashpee | Mashpee Shores Assoc. | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Santuit Pond - Bryants Neck | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Santuit Pond Estate Assoc. | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Santuit Pond - Town Landing | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Trustees of the Reservation (Mashpee Pond) | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Trustees of the Reservation (Wakeby Pond) | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Wakeby-Attaquin | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Mashpee | Wakeby Pond - Camp Farley | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Milton | Houghton's Pond @ Bathhouse (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Monterey | Benedict Pond Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Nahant | Black Rock | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Nahant | Nahant Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Nantucket | Miacomet Pond | Freshwater | Algae/Cyanobacteria Advisory |
| Quincy | Chikatawbot | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Quincy | Germantown Firestation | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Quincy | Wollaston Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Revere | Revere Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Revere | Short Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Salem | Ocean Avenue | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Salem | Steps | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Salem | Willow Avenue | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Saugus | Pearce Lake @ Breakheart Reservation (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Southwick | South Pond Beach | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Sturbridge | Walker Pond - Main Beach | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Swampscott | Kings Beach | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Templeton | Beaman's Pond - Campground (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Templeton | Beaman's Pond - Day Use Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Tisbury | Hilman's Point | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Townsend | Pearl Hill Pond (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Wareham | Forbes | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Wareham | Swift's | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Westminster | Crow Hill Pond Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winchendon | Lake Dennison - North Camp Beach (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winchester | Shannon Beach @ Upper Mystic (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winthrop | Donovans | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winthrop | Halford | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winthrop | Pico | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Winthrop | Winthrop Beach (DCR) | Marine | Bacterial Exceedance |
| Worcester | Lake Quinsigamond - Regatta Point (DCR) | Freshwater | Bacterial Exceedance |
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The City of Revere had released a statement Thursday on the water quality advisory at Revere Beach, noting DCR had posting no swimming signs both there and at Short Beach due to bacterial exceedance,
According to the city, DCR and Revere DPW tests the water quality weekly during the summer for a specific type of bacteria. When bacteria levels get too high, the water can become unsafe for swimming or ingestion. This typically happens due to high rain events or circumstances that lead to substantial run-off discharging into waterways, the city said in its release.
When this happens, beachgoers should see “No Swimming” signs posted on entrances to the beach and on lifeguard stands. Signs are removed when bacteria levels drop below the level of concern. The water will continue to be tested weekly.
Swimming or ingesting contaminated water could result in symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills or fever, the City of Revere said. Anyone with concerns about potential exposure to contaminated water when signage is posted is asked to contact their healthcare providers
The next testing will not occur until next week.
