Crystal Lake Beach Closed Due to E. Coli

by Matt Hongoltz-Hetling
     
     HARRISON – On Tuesday, Town Manager Brad Plant made the decision to close Crystal Lake Beach after receiving a lab report that documented high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water.
     Certain strains of E coli cause a variety of health problems for humans, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory diseases, and meningitis.
     Plant made the decision at 9:30 a.m., and subsequently put up yellow tape and signs to warn swimmers away.
     Plant says that the town tests the water every year in July. They have the testing done by the Paris Utility District lab, at a cost of $20.
     “This is the first time since I've been here that we've had a problem,” said Plant.
     Plant says that the culprit behind the bacteria has not yet been determined, but he has a suspect in mind.
     “Interestingly enough, I spoke with a doctor from the state department of health,” said Plant. “The first thing he said to me was 'Are there a lot of ducks in the area?'”
     Plant says that people like to feed the ducks at that beach, which has resulted in a large number of waterfowl concentrating in the area.
     “People feed the ducks, the ducks poop in the water, and that's where E. coli comes from,” said Plant.
     Deputy Clerk Penny Bean said that the weather may be the key thing.
     “It's caused by the hot weather,” she said. “What's going to help is some rain and some cooler temperatures.”
     Plant says that a little detective work could get a more definitive answer.
     “We might take two or three samples elsewhere to see if its concentrated at the beach,” he said. “Hopefully, we'll do a little CSI.”
     Bean stressed that, while the beach is closed, the park is still open.
     Plant says that a couple of days of rain would probably bring the bacteria concentrations back down to acceptable levels.
     The beach will be closed for an indefinite period of time. Bean says that there are several complex factors that affect the levels of E.coli in a particular waterway, including the size of the body of water.
     “Long Lake is absolutely fine,” said Bean.
     Both Crystal Lake and Long Lake were tested as part of a regular testing schedule conducted by the town.
     Norway Town manager David Holt says that the town tests Norway Lake occasionally throughout the summer.
     “We've tested it probably three or four times,” said Holt, noting that there hasn't been a problem yet this season.
     Holt says that it's been nearly 20 years since Norway has had to close a beach due to E. coli, but recognizes that a good track record doesn't mean problems won't occur in the future.
     “It could show up tomorrow,” he said.
     On July 8, nearby Raymond Beach on Sebago Lake reopened after being closed for a few days due to E. coli.
     E. coli is the common name for escherichia coli, a term that describes a large group of different types of bacteria. Harmless forms of the bacteria can be found in the gut of different mammals, such as cows and sheep.