Press Release

Damariscotta Lake State Park Swimming Advisory

Press contacts:
Ginger Jordan-Hillier, Assistant to the Commissioner 287-4904

Bureau of Health

Geoff Beckett, Assistant State Epidemiologist 287-5301

Mon. Aug 5-02 PM

The Department of Conservation is advising visitors to Damariscotta Lake State Park that the beach may be unsafe for swimming at this time. Testing of beach water samples taken on Friday, August 2^nd, has shown elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. Because of these test results, the Department has consulted with the DHS Bureau of Health and is posting the beach as possibly unsafe for swimming, until further notice. Ongoing evaluation of conditions at the beach is occurring. The Advisory will be lifted when the Department can assure that water conditions do not present risk to health.

On July 29th, the Bureau of Health was notified by the Department of a visitor complaint   of illnesses in a family group, which the visitor believed could be due to swimming at the beach. An environmental assessment was conducted by the Bureau of Health and water specimens collected on July 29^th were tested at the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory. The results of these tests indicated that all bacterial levels were within acceptable EPA limits. An epidemiologic investigation, including interviews with representatives of groups that had utilized the beach during the previous week, indicated that no large outbreak of illness was likely to have occurred.

The routine follow-up tests conducted on August 2 revealed normal bacterial levels by one method, but testing by a second method showed a slight elevation (less than 10%) over limits acceptable for safe swimming. It was on the basis of these test results that the recommendation was made to post a swimming advisory.

Concerns about possible illnesses at public swimming areas are taken very seriously, and are followed with an epidemiologic investigation (to detemine whether an outbreak occurred or may be occurring) and with bacterial testing of possibly affected swimming water. If it appears that illnesses might be associated with swimming, then recommendations to post or close a beach may be made by the Bureau of Health.

Since the summer of 2001, an interagency Task Force on Healthy Swimming has examined ways in which the risk of illnesses associated with swimming can be further

decreased.  The Department requests the cooperation of visitors with certain simple

measures that may help to reduce risk: avoid swimming while ill; avoid changing diapers

on beachfronts; ensure frequent bathroom breaks for young children who are swimming;

discourage children from swallowing swimming water, and to shower or wash (and to wash infants and children) before swimming. In addition, routine testing of recreational swimming water for levels of certain bacteria may help to identify potential problem areas. A list of the principles of Healthy Swimming can be obtained at  http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docbeach/brochure.pdf  or refer to the attached info. Further  information from the Maine Task Force can be found at:  http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/beach.htm.

The Department of Conservation will continue to evaluate this situation on a day-by-day basis in consultation with the Bureau of Health and inform the public when conditions are again judged safe for swimming.                                               

- 30 -

[ Bureau of Parks and Lands] [ Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas ] [ Maine Forest Service ] [ Land Use Regulation Commission ]

Email DOC Webmaster