Rain leads to temporary high E.Coli readings in pond

With cold temperatures and heavy rainfall extending through May well into June, Vermonters may be eager to pack up their towels, picnics, and tubes and head to their local beachfront. But on Monday, E. Coli (Escherichia coli) levels at Stoughton Pond threatened this rite of Spring.

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2017-06-23 / Local Rain leads to temporary high E.Coli readings in pond By KELSEY CHRISTENSEN kchristensen@eagletimes.com A sign advises residents not to swim at Stoughton Pond in Springfield due to high E.coli readings in the water. — KELSEY CHRISTENSENA sign advises residents not to swim at Stoughton Pond in Springfield due to high E.coli readings in the water. — KELSEY CHRISTENSENSPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Wednesday marked the Summer Solstice, or the longest day of the year, and the official beginning of summer. With cold temperatures and heavy rainfall extending through May well into June, Vermonters may be eager to pack up their towels, picnics, and tubes and head to their local beachfront. But on Monday, E. Coli (Escherichia coli) levels at Stoughton Pond threatened this rite of Spring. Fortunately, by Thursday, E. Coli levels declined, returning the Springfield swimming hole to safe standards. According to Army Corps of Engineers member Jason Farnsworth, a test from Monday showed presence of E. Coli beyond what the state of Vermont prescribes as a standard, making swimming unsafe. A statement released by the Army Corps of Engineers, who monitor Stoughton Pond and the North Springfield Dam, detailed the test findings: Stoughton Pond tested at 276 E. coli per 1/100 mls and the North Springfield dam tested at 365 E. coli per 1/100 mls. Vermont state standards require 235 E coli per 1/100 mls or less for swim areas. The Army Corps conducts weekly water quality tests with a team of around two people pulling the samples, according to Farnsworth. The samples are then sent to a lab, when the results are shared. Following Monday's test, which revealed the water to be unsafe to swimmers, the Army Corps conducted a second test to determine if conditions had improved. The results, gleaned on Thursday, showed the E Coli levels back to normal. “The results from today showed levels well below the state standard,” Farnsworth said. Levels are now 105 E coli per 1/100 mls at Stoughton Pond and 47 E coli per 1/100 mls at the Power Dam. Monday's test, though a part of regularly scheduled water quality tests, happened to fall during heavy rainfall in the area, when E. Coli levels can often be detected. “If we have an excessive amount of rain and rapid runoff, you’ll get bacteria in the water,” Farnsworth said. According to the EPA, E. Coli contamination can result from fecal runoff into the water. A study cited by the EPA in “Recreational Water Quality Criteria” states that sources of fecal contamination can include treated and untreated municipal sewage, nonpoint source agricultural runoff, and fecal contamination from water fowl. However, bacteria levels in water sources can also rise during a period of prolonged dryness or heat. The frequency of water bodies testing for E. Coli levels above the state standard, Farnsworth says, simply depends on the year. According to research conducted at the National Parks Service, swimming in water with E. Coli can cause skin rashes, eye and ear infections, hepatitis and respiratory infections. However, Farnsworth doesn’t want undue alarm to surround the varying results of these frequent water tests. “Because we do testing to achieve these standards, if there’s an issue, people become concerned,” he said. “Folks might not know the area they’re swimming in [instead] is just as contaminated, but it might not get tested.” Monday’s test result didn’t appear to keep too many swimmers out of the water, though: locals flocked to Stoughton Pond on Thursday, following the release of the Army Corps results on Wednesday. “We could lock the front gate,” Farnsworth said. “But that would eliminate people who want to come here to suntan, bring a sandwich here for lunch, or have a barbeque.”