Southwick Town Beach (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Town Beach is open this week after closing last weekend because of elevated levels of bacteria.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Daniel Call said the bacteria levels on South Pond where the beach is located are not supposed to be higher than 250 points.
“They are supposed to be under 100, but they can’t be over 250 and this was over that,” said Call.
The bacteria was naturally occurring, mainly due to recent weather changes. Call said rain followed by humidity causes the levels to rise. The other reason is the Canadian geese that flock to the beach after hours.
“When there’s no one here, the geese come and they like the beach and grass and their waste creates the bacteria,” said Call.
The geese also search for crumbs of food left behind during the day. Call said the Commission has a plan to try to curtail the problem.
“We’re going to try to use reflective fencing next year,” he said. “We will put it about four feet into the water and about four feet up onto the beach.”
The fencing would be put up after hours by beach staff and taken down in the morning. Call said the Commission would seek advice from an expert before making a purchase.
The Town Beach, located at 14 Beach Road, is open Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Life guards on duty at all times. Minors need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Call said the last day the beach will be open this season is Sunday, Aug. 24. When the season is over, Call said improvements, including painting, will take place.
