By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff Writer
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ROCKPORT — Ocean water tests conducted Wednesday are expected today to show that bacteria levels at Rockport's beaches are well below the state's allowable limits for bathing.
But all six Rockport beaches and three creeks were tested as a precaution Wednesday morning, nearly a week after Gloucester officials closed all of that city's beaches for a 24-hour period due to high bacteria counts found in testing completed during heavy rainfall Aug. 25.
The aim of the tests — performed by Laura Osmond, the independent consultant who filled in last week for vacationing Rockport Health Agent Leslie Whelan and ultimately made the call not to test at that time — was to quell what she called a "public outcry" that followed Gloucester's beach closures and appease concerns relayed by the Board of Health, Department of Public Works, and at least one selectmen about the lack of new tests.
"It was definitely not ignored; people can disagree with (the town's) decision, but it definitely wasn't ignored," said Selectman Sandy Jacques, who called Osmond in search of an explanation. "Based on past experience, normally we wait a day or two (after a heavy rainfall) to test, and based on a whole number of factors, tests weren't required."
All of Rockport's public beaches are required to be tested for enterococci bacteria on a monthly basis from June to August, and state Department of Public Health (DPH) records indicate the waters off Rockport's coast were indeed tested in accordance with the law on Aug. 3.
However, some residents felt additional testing should have been carried out last week given the rainfall experienced during last week's four-day nor'easter and Gloucester's alarming test results.
State regulations allow up to 104 bacteria cells for every 100 milliliters of seawater to allow bathing. At least one sample taken Aug. 25 showed 1,014 cells, or more than 10 times the limit, at Wingaersheek Beach.
Swimming bans were also enacted at several Manchester beaches last week as a result of high bacteria counts. All of that community's beaches are now re-opened for swimming.
According to the state Department of Public Health, swimming in polluted water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, and dermatological symptoms including skin rash and itching.
Bacteria gain access to the water through a variety of sources including, sewage treatment plant outfalls, boats dumping sewage into the water, and combined sewer overflows.
Rain, such as the 2.5 inches that fell on Cape Ann last Wednesday, is often a contributing factor to beach water pollution. As rainwater washes over land, it can carry bacteria to the beach.
Depending on the beach, the water can be tested anywhere from every day to once per month, DPH officials said. The testing frequency depends on how likely the beach is to have water quality issues.
Osmond said she didn't begin hearing concerns regarding the water until after Gloucester enacted its swimming ban Thursday — a move, she said, the city could've avoided.
Osmond said testing during the height of a heavy rainstorm, like Gloucester did last Wednesday, is not typical and that the city closed its beaches Thursday afternoon, hours after re-testing the waters. The results of the Thursday tests revealed Friday that the water was once again safe.
"I've been in public health for 18 years and it doesn't make sense to test during a heavy nor'easter," Osmond said. "By the time you get the results, the contamination is gone and your closing the beaches is making everyone upset."
Max Schenk served as acting director of Gloucester's Health Department last week, filling in for a vacationing Jack Vondras. Both Schenk and Vondras were out of the office Wednesday afternoon.
During the roughly 24-hour swimming ban, Gloucester's beaches remained open to the public free of charge and lifeguards remained on duty, but residents were told not to go in the water. Gloucester officials have also been limiting swimming Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in an unrelated action due to dangerous riptides.
Osmond said state-mandated water tests are paid for by the DPH, but because Wednesday's new tests are in addition to what is required by law, Rockport will have to cover the costs of the testing on its own. The tests cost $33 per location and Rockport sampled 10 locations in three creeks and six beaches, including two locations on Long Beach — the Rockport side and the Gloucester side.
Board of Health chairman, Dr. Sydney Wedmore didn't return calls Tuesday, but Osmond said Wedmore requested yesterday's testing to help "put the public at ease."
According to the DPH, local health officials have the authority to close beaches to swimming regardless of test results and in some cases, they may choose to enact a swimming ban at a beach based on local conditions such as heavy rainfall.
Moving forward, Osmond said health officials in Rockport plan to discuss whether or not to enact a local policy requiring additional testing within 24 hours of a heavy rainfall.
"Making the call to close the beach during a storm is an option, but it's nice to have a criteria in place to back up that decision," Osmond said.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
