Worcester residents looking to cool off at Smith Pond will have to stay on dry land for now.
The city closed Smith Pond Beach, also known as Cooks Pond, on Wednesday after water testing found E. coli bacteria at levels exceeding state water quality standards.
The Department of Inspectional Services and Worcester Division of Public Health issued a public health advisory Aug. 5 closing the semi-public beach and warning people to stay out of the water until further notice.
The closure remains in effect until additional laboratory testing shows bacteria levels have returned to an acceptable range, according to a city announcement.
Unlike an algae bloom or other water problem that might be visible from shore, elevated E. coli levels cannot be detected simply by looking at the water. Laboratory testing is required to determine whether concentrations are safe.
E. coli bacteria are found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans, pets and geese, but do not naturally live in lakes and ponds. According to the city announcement, the bacteria can enter recreational waters through animal waste, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems or illegal sewer connections that discharge sewage into storm drains.
The city did not identify a specific source for the elevated bacteria detected at Smith Pond.
High E. coli counts can sometimes be short-lived. The city said bacteria levels can fall within a day to several days after a beach is initially closed, though Smith Pond will not reopen until follow-up testing confirms the water meets safety standards.
The closure comes one day after Worcester shut down Indian Lake because of an unrelated water-quality problem involving elevated cyanobacteria. Indian Lake remains closed to swimming, fishing and boating while the city continues testing there.
At Smith Pond, the instruction is simpler: Until the lab gives the all-clear, stay out of the water.
