Swampscott saw about 1.6 inches of rain this week, which seems to have affected some of the water at the beaches. Even though it is a sunny, warm weekend in the 70s, it is important beachgoers still check out signs posted at the beaches that indicate swimming is not suggested 48 to 72 hours after precipitation. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, water is considered safe when bacterial levels are at or below 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100 ml).

An additional measure, the geometric mean, reflects average water quality over the past month, based on the five most recent test results. For marine beaches, the allowable geometric mean is 35 cfu/100 ml. 

Beachgoers can view bacteria levels on the Department of Public Health’s interactive website, though the data is updated with a 24-hour delay.

Below are the July 9 results. 

Fisherman’s Beach 

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 19.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 18.61 cfu/100 ml

The Swampscott Health Department has also started its testing of beach waters, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works. At Fisherman’s Beach the group found this week:

Swimming Area – July 8: 10.00 cfu/100 ml

Pier – July 6: 1,214.00 cfu/100 ml, July 7: <10.00 cfu/100 ml, July 8: 10.00 cfu/100 ml

Marshall Outfall – July 6: 126.00 cfu/100 ml, July 7: 2,794.00 cfu/100 ml, July 8: 333.00 cfu/100 ml

Cassidy Park Outfall – July 6: 126.00 cfu/100 ml, July 7: 2299.00 cfu/100 ml, July 8: 649.00 cfu/100 ml

King’s Beach 

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 97.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 87.55 cfu/100 ml

At the time of publication, King’s Beach is posted for bacterial exceedance. 

The Swampscott Health Department has also started its testing of beach waters, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works. At King’s Beach the group found this week:

Pier – July 7: 8,635.00 cfu/100 ml, July 8: <10.00 cfu/100 ml

New Ocean/Eisman’s Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 5.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 29.12 cfu/100 ml

Phillips Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 10.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 5.74 cfu/100 ml

Preston Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 52.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 9.17 cfu/100 ml

Whales Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 52.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 26.43 cfu/100 ml