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Lake Quinsigamond E. coli Alert: Swimming Closed
27 Jul
Summary
- An E. coli bacteria outbreak has led to a closure of a lake area.
- Approximately 15,000 gallons of wastewater leaked into the lake's system.
- Fishing and swimming are restricted until further testing confirms safety.
An area of Lake Quinsigamond has been closed to the public as of Monday, July 27, following the detection of elevated E. coli bacteria levels. The closure specifically affects the Whitla Drive section of the lake, with fishing and swimming activities suspended until further notice.
The elevated bacteria count is a direct result of a wastewater leak that occurred on Friday, July 24. Approximately 15,000 gallons of wastewater were released from an underground pipe near Route 20. This wastewater entered the state's storm drainage system, ultimately flowing into O'Hara Brook and then into Lake Quinsigamond.
Crews worked for two hours to stop the leak and restore the sewer system following the Friday morning incident. Additional testing was planned for Monday, July 27, to assess the bacteria levels and determine the timeline for reopening the affected portion of the lake. E. coli can cause various illnesses in humans, making the closure a precautionary measure for public health.
