There was a good amount of rain this week, making for probably not the most fun beach experience. While the weekend looks sunnier, 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 23 results. 

Fisherman’s Beach 

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 74 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 31.90 cfu/100 ml

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

Swimming Area – July 22: 10 cfu/100 ml

Pier – July 17: <10 cfu/100 ml; July 20: 10 cfu/100 ml; July 20: 10 cfu/100 ml; July 21: 66 cfu/100 ml; July 22: 10 cfu/100 ml

Marshall Outfall – July 17: 217 cfu/100 ml; July 20: 297 cfu/100 ml; July 21: 43 cfu/100 ml

Cassidy Park Outfall – July 17: 727 cfu/100 ml; July 20: 89 cfu/100 ml; July 21: 32 cfu/100 ml

King’s Beach 

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 108.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 40.69 cfu/100 ml

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

• July 22: 22 cfu/100 ml

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

New Ocean/Eisman’s Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 20.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 26.68 cfu/100 ml

Phillips Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 10.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 6.60 cfu/100 ml

Preston Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 63.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 15.23 cfu/100 ml

Whales Beach

Single-Sample Bacterial Results – 30.00 cfu/100 ml

Geometric Mean Results – 28.66 cfu/100 ml