Bacteria Monitoring
Enterococci bacteria, though not harmful themselves, indicate the presence of fecal contamination and potentially harmful bacteria in the water. These harmful bacteria are known to cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, ear infections, and fever in recreational swimmers. Young children and people with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible.
Many beaches around the country are monitored by private and government agencies to prevent public health risks of this kind, but the Shaw Institute's Blue Hill Research Center is the only organization that monitors beaches in the Blue Hill area. We provide this monitoring as a public service for free to the community since our area is too small to be monitored by government agencies.
We follow very stringent protocols from the Environmental Protection Agency and Maine Healthy Beaches for both sampling and processing of the bacteria samples. Due to the 24+ processing time for each sample weekly results are posted to our website, 24 to 48 hours after sampling. Any results that are higher than the EPA’s bacteria level threshold are also reported to the Blue Hill Town Hall.
The EPA advises that the maximum acceptable Enterococci bacteria count is 104 in any single sample of marine water at a designated beach area. The full description of the 1986 EPA Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria can be found here.
Six local swimming areas will be monitored from June 2021 to September 2021. You can find recent reports by clicking the link of the location you are interested in viewing below.
Beach Bacteria Reports 2021
Reports are organized by sampling location. Each report will be updated as new data is collected.
Summary Report (July 19–July 23)
Weekly Reports by Sampling Site
Blue Hill Town Park
Carrying Place Beach
Curtis Cove*
KYC
Peters Cove
Surry Town Wharf
* Bacteria Alert: Curtis Cove Stream
⚠ Please be aware Curtis Cove stream frequently exceeds the safety levels of bacteria set by the EPA. We found no human sources of bacteria in 2021 and believe the causes for this bacteria are likely natural (seaweed and wildlife) but still urge caution. We will only test the stream on a weekly basis during the summer of 2021 regardless of bacteria levels. ⚠
COVID-19 Beach Safety Update
In light of the current pandemic, and with many of us seeking solace from our beautiful Maine beaches, concerns about infection risk from swimming are understandable. According to the CDC, “There is no evidence showing anyone has gotten COVID-19 through drinking water, recreational water, or wastewater. The risk of COVID-19 transmission through water is expected to be low.”
Shaw Institute will continue to monitor five swimming sites around the Blue Hill Peninsula for evidence of human waste, as an essential public service to local beachgoers. It is uncertain whether or not virus particles from human waste can infect others, but the chances of this are likely low. Despite a low risk of transmission, we hope to keep swimmers informed of potential exposure risks via our weekly bacteria reports. We also strongly encourage beachgoers to maintain a minimum of six feet of distance as per CDC guidelines.
Because COVID-19 is a novel virus, scientific understanding of the disease is continually evolving. Shaw Institute aims to keep the community updated on best practices surrounding beach use, swimming, and COVID-19 as new research emerges. Please note, beach closures will be determined by the relevant local municipality. For ongoing information on beach bacteria levels around the Blue Hill Peninsula, you can request to join our weekly Beach Bacteria mailing list by emailing bacteria@shawinstitute.org
Federal Information Resources
U.S. CDC Water and COVID-19 FAQs
U.S. CDC Beach and Park Use Guidance https:
Archive: Beach Bacteria Reports 2020
Reports are organized by sampling location. Each report will be updated as new data is collected.
Summary Report (August 21-28)
Weekly Reports by Sampling Site
Blue Hill Town Park
Carrying Place Beach
Curtis Cove Beach*
KYC
Peters Cove
Surry Town Wharf
* Bacteria Alert: Curtis Cove Input Stream
⚠ Please be aware Curtis Cove stream frequently exceeds the safety levels of bacteria set by the EPA. Please use caution and avoid the stream area. Shaw Institute is working with the landowners to post signs and determine the source of the bacteria. ⚠ NOTE: We have paused sampling on the stream to further investigate the pollution source. Assume bacteria levels exceed safety levels.
Archive: Weekly Reports 2019
Summary Report (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
BACTERIA ALERTS:
Curtis Cove Beach
Blue Hill Town Park
Sampling sites:
Blue Hill Town Park (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
Carrying Place Beach (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
Curtis Cove Beach (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
KYC (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
Peters Cove (Aug. 29 - Sept. 5)
Archive: Weekly Reports 2018
Final monitoring report for 2018 by sampling location:
Carrying Place Beach - Sept 17
Archive: Weekly Reports 2017
Blue Hill Town Park - July 7 - Aug 22
Carrying Place Beach- July 7 - Aug 22 2017
Curtis Cove Beach - July 7 - Aug 22 2017
Peters Cove - July 7 - Aug 22 2017
Archive: Weekly Reports 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - September 16 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - September 7 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - August 31 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - August 24 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - August 18 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - August 8 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - August 3 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - July 20 2016
Water Quality Monitoring Report - July 7 2016