Water Quality Testing

Beach Water Testing - E. Coli & Cyanobacteria

E. Coli - Weekly testing is organized by the city from late May through Labor Day at the following locations: 

  • Lake Gardner Beach – 79 High Street, Amesbury | Map It    
  • Camp Kent – Public access through Battis Farm, 76 South Hampton Road, Parking Lot | Map It
  • * Glen Devin – Private Access 
  • * Lake Attitash Sandy Beach (AALSIA) - Private Access
  • * Camp Bauercrest. - Private Access

Results are posted (below) usually on Friday mornings after we have received them from the contracted water testing companies

* Payed for by the private association or business

About E. Coli

E. Coli is an indicator organism of fecal contamination. The natural habitat for E. Coli is the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. If the E. Coli count is greater than 1000 MPN/100 mL, the beach is closed. If the E. Coli count is greater than 235 MPN/100 mL but less than 1000 MPN/100 mL, an advisory is issued. If the E. Coli count is under 235 MPN/100 mL, the beach has no advisories or warnings issued.


Cyanobacteria

On demand testing will be organized by the City when suspected blooms are reported. Cyanobacteria can often be identified through visual indicators during bloom conditions. For additional information and guidance on visually identifying a bloom, please reference Massachusetts Department of Public Health- Cyanobacteria in Recreational Waters in Massachusetts.

 

About Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in all water ecosystems. Cyanobacteria are sometimes referred to as blue-green algae, despite being bacteria rather than algae. Under certain environmental conditions cyanobacteria can experience exponential growth, creating a highly concentrated area of cyanobacteria cells known as a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom, or cyanoHAB. Because some cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins, cyanoHABs can be harmful to human health.

The City of Amesbury will respond to reports of cyanobacteria and will issue public health advisories when necessary. If you identify a bloom, please contact Vinny Tirone, via email at tironev@amebsuryma.gov or by calling 978-388-8129. 

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Testing Protocols

There are many variables regarding bacteria and moving waterways. Testing protocols are as follows:

  • Facilitate the water extraction in our bodies of water
  • Document water runoff, rain, water temps, wave intensity, time of day, and if any pollution sources are present like dogs/birds/humans etc. to name a few
  • Attempt to target and extract the water in the general area known to be frequented by swimmers to ensure we are targeting the more important areas
  • Water sources are then kept cold and delivered to Gloucester, MA Biomarine lab for analysis
  • After a 24 hr incubation period, Biomarine releases the results, which we share with the public
  • If any location fails to meet the standards the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) has outlined as acceptable levels, we either retest, or encourage the private organizations to follow suit (contingent on funding)
  • Signage is then posted in a joint effort to educate the public of the results

Please note that some of the bodies of water are governed by private organizations. We attempt to work with these organizations to ensure they are properly educating their visitors of the results.

For more information on our waterways, please visit https://www.amesburyma.gov/430/Lakes-Waterways.


Water Quality Test Results

  1. Water Quality Test Results - Sept 22_2020 Lake Gardner_Fail
  2. Water Quality Test Results - Lake Gardner- Sept 15, 2023 - Fail
  3. Water Quality Test Results - Retest Lake Gardner- Sept 5, 2023 - Fail
  4. Water Quality Test Results - September 1, 2023
  5. Water Quality Test Results - August 24, 2023
  6. Water Quality Test Results - August 18, 2023
  7. Water Quality Test August 17, 2023
  8. Water Quality Test Results - August 11, 2023
  9. Water Quality Test Results - August 2, 2023
  10. Water Quality Test Results_July 27, 2023
  11. Water Quality Test Results - Retest Glen Devin 7-21-2023 - Pass
  12. Water Quality Test Results July 20, 2023
  13. Water Quality Test Results July 13, 2023 PDF
  14. Water Quality Test Results July 6 2023
  15. Water Quality Test - Lake Gardner Retest - 07/03/2023 Pass
  16. Water Quality Test Results June 27, 2023
  17. Water Quality Test Results June 22, 2023
  18. Water Quality Test Results_June 13 2023
  19. Water Quality Testing Results 6-7-2023 (PDF)
  20. Water Quality Test Results May 30, 2023
  21. Water Quality Test Results 8/25/2022
  22. Water_Quality_Test_results_8-17-2022.pdf
  23. Water Quality Test Results 8/11/2022
  24. Water Quality Test Results 8/4/2022
  25. Water Quality Test Results 7/27/2022
  26. Water Quality Test Results 7/21/2022
  27. Water Quality Test Results 7/13/2022
  28. Water Quality Test Results 7/6/2022
  29. Water Quality Test Results 6/29/2022
  30. Water Quality Test Results 6/23/2022
  31. Water Quality Test Results 6/15/2022
  32. Water Quality Test Results 6/8/2022
  33. Water Quality Test Results 6/1/2022
  34. UPDATED Water Quality Test Results 5/26/2022
  35. Water Quality Test Results 5/25/2022
  36. Water Quality Test Results 9/1/2022