Beach Water Quality
May 31: Laite Beach
Water testing at Laite Beach on Thursday, May 30, showed elevated levels of enterococci (fecal bacteria), prompting this advisory and recommendation that the public avoid water contact activities at this time. Rain is the most common cause of increased contamination, caused by runoff from surrounding roads and grounds populated with people and animals. Restesting will be done on Tuesday, June 4, and this notice will be removed once the waters test below the threshold. Maine's Beach Action Value (BAV or safety threshold) for enterococci in marine waters is 104 MPN/100mL.
The water at Laite Memorial Beach, located on Bay View Street between Cedar and Chestnut Hill streets, is tested weekly through Maine Healthy Beaches, a Maine Department of Environmental Protection water quality program that partners with local municipalities to monitor salt water beaches. To check the status of Laite Beach, click here. Advisories are posted on a sign along the sidewalk to the beach, and online here and on social media on Wednesdays, or as needed.
There are inherent risks associated with open water swimming and recreational contact including, but not limited to, bacterial infections and bacteria levels can change at any time, particularly as a result of significant rain events.
To reduce risk of infections, always rinse off after swimming, avoid swimming with open wounds, avoid water contact for 24-48 hours after a significant rain event.
Laite Beach water quality testing runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Freshwater quality at Megunticook Lake (Barrett's Cove Beach), Shirttail Point, Hodson Park and the Hosmer Pond boat launch and swimming area, as well as Bishopswood Camp (Hope), Norton Pond Swimming Area/Breezemere Park (Lincolnville), and Main Street/Route 173 Bridge (Lincolnville) is tested weekly by the Megunticook Watershed Association. Visit their website to see the most current water test results, which are usually posted online Thursdays, or as needed.
When applicable, advisories are also posted via signage at the above locations.