Date: Fri 10-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Lake-Zoar-bacteria

Full Text:

Bacteria Curtails Swimming In Lake Zoar

(with cut)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

A town official has issued a "no swimming" advisory for residents living along

Lake Zoar in the Riverside and Cedarhurst areas after high levels of a

potentially harmful bacteria were discovered.

According to Health District Director Mark Cooper, excessive traces of

enterococci bacteria have turned up along three beaches in Newtown. He sent

out a warning for people to stay out of the water on Tuesday. Mr Cooper said

there was cause for caution since the bacteria-filled water could cause

problems for those with ear, nose and throat infections, or for those who

suffer skin rashes.

The outbreak of enterococci bacteria appears to be widespread throughout the

state. This week, state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials

closed down the Kettletown State Park beach in Southbury, but reopened it on

Tuesday. Eight state beaches across the Connecticut were also closed over the

Fourth of July weekend.

According to Donna McCarthy, the town's director of environmental health,

residents have been calling the health district office asking if they should

close their own private beaches along Lake Zoar.

"It's tough to say at this time because the water is always moving," she said

Thursday morning.

Town officials first became aware of the problem last week after receiving

water test results from the Lake Zoar Authority, which monitors the water on a

regular basis during the summer, especially during hot weather.

Enterococci bacteria is brought on by fecal matter in the water, usually from

Canadian geese and/or humans. Mr Cooper guessed surface run-off from last

month's heavy rain may have been the culprit. He expected the bacteria to

dissipate in the coming weeks.

DEP official Donald Gonuea said the presence of enterococci bacteria is not a

rare occurrence, but called this year one of the worst in recent memory.

Earlier this week, several unconfirmed radio reports said scores of dead fish

had been seen floating on the lake surface near the Shepaug Dam in Newtown. Mr

Cooper said he did not believe the report, if accurate, was related to the

enterococci bacteria outbreak. DEP officials say as many as 2500 fish were

spotted. They suspect the fish were sucked through the dam.