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Beach Sample Results Available

For more information, contact:

Robert Goulding, DPW Public Information Manager

802-540-0846

BEACH SAMPLE RESULTS AVAILABLE

  • BLANCHARD BEACH NORTH & LEDDY BEACH NORTH CAME IN ABOVE EPA LIMITS FOR E. COLI, LIKELY DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF STORMWATER. CLOSED PENDING NEXT ROUND OF SAMPLING.
  • BLODGETT, CLOSEST BEACH TO PINE ST CSO, CAME IN WELL UNDER EPA LIMITS FOR E. COLI
  • ALL OTHER BEACHES REMAIN UNPOSTED & OPEN

Test results, taken on 7/26, from Burlington beaches came in today.

  • Blodgett Access Area, closest to the Pine St Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) that discharged on 7/25 and posted with a caution sign on 7/26, returned bacteria levels well under EPA limits. The caution sign will be left up until tomorrow, pending another round of sampling results under EPA limits.
  • Blanchard Beach North returned results that exceed EPA limits. This beach has been closed today, and additional samples will be taken. This beach has had a prior history of high bacteria levels, including a full closure from the mid 1990’s until 2007. With current stormwater mitigation efforts and efforts by a prior generation of Burlingtonians, we are glad to be able to keep this beach open throughout most of the year now. It is clear that ongoing stormwater efforts are more important than ever.
  • Leddy Beach North also exceeded EPA limits. This beach will be closed, pending another round of sampling. This is likely driven by high volumes of stormwater runoff from Tuesday’s intense storm, animal waste and other contributing factors.
  • All other beaches returned levels below EPA limits and will remain unposted and open.
  • To see these results, please visit Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront’s website at: https://enjoyburlington.com/resources/water-quality-public-notices/

It is important to note that after a rain event, especially intense storms (like on 7/25) that lead to large volumes of stormwater, bacteria levels are likely to rise in collecting waters. When the volume of stormwater leads to rapid discharges into area waters, it may collect and transport animal waste, oils and litter.

Efforts already underway to improve stormwater management:

  • We have continued designing and installing stormwater infrastructure in City projects, including a recently installed subsurface stormwater infiltration system on Park St this year.
  • We will begin in the next two months a comprehensive upgrade of two blocks of St Paul St with robust stormwater infrastructure (soil cells, permeable pavers, rain gardens and more)
  • We are also underway with enhanced Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination efforts.
  • Our permitting strategy for local development continues being proactive by requiring new developments to manage 100% of new impervious surface stormwater and requiring larger projects to take additional stormwater off the system to offset their projected wastewater flows (such as for City Place Burlington and Cambrian Rise).

For more information on Burlington’s water quality efforts, please visit: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPW/Water-Quality-History.

 

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Press Release Date: 
07/27/2018
City Department: 
Public Works Department