GREENSBORO — Caspian Lake water quality testing shows mixed results, with elevated levels of E.coli in places, some too high to recommend swimming, reported Christine Armstrong, Greensboro’s Deputy Health Officer, in a July 15 post to Front Porch Forum.
Thunderstorms began over Greensboro in the afternoon of July 10 and continued well into the night, bringing floodwaters from Caspian Lake’s tributaries into the lake and raising its level near the top of the dam, but not overtopping it near noon on July 11. Lake levels slowly began dropping by July 12 and continued into the following week.
She wrote, “The first round of ‘After the Flood’ Caspian Lake water quality test results are in. The most recent flooding was on Wednesday, July 10. Testing was performed on Thursday, July 11 and will be repeated on Monday, July 15 with results expected on Wednesday, July 17. The turbidity is improving and the high water level is receding.
“The threshold for safe swimming are E.coli levels of less than 235 E. coli per 100 ml.
“Four areas of Caspian were tested: Cemetery Brook delta had a test result of 60. Highland Lodge Beach had a test result of 3. The public beach had a test result of 53. The cove south of Black’s Point had a result of 980.
“The public beach E.coli test results are higher than is typical and tells us to swim with caution.
“We will not be closing the public beach at this time.
“It is inadvisable to swim in the cove south of Black’s Point.
“It is inadvisable to drink untreated water from Caspian Lake.
Christine says the town cannot supply test kits. They can be ordered from the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory by calling 802-338-4724 and asking for ‘Kit SW.’ Payments can be made using a credit card or a check. Order forms can be requested from the laboratory or found online here.
Test samples can be delivered to the Vermont Department of Health office in Morrisville Monday through Thursday before 2 p.m.
If you have questions about test kits, contact Greensboro’a health officers, or Stew Arnold at (892) 533-2356.
The Town of Greensboro will continue to monitor the town beach water quality.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
