The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts weekly indicator bacteria sampling at 21 state-owned and managed swimming areas during the summer  in order to assess the sanitary quality of the bathing water. These swimming areas are distributed across 4 coastal parks-Rocky Neck, Hammonasset, Sherwood Island, and Silver Sands and 17 inland parks- Black Rock, Burr Pond, Chatfield Hollow, Day Pond, Gay City, Hopeville Pond, Indian Wells, Kettletown, Lake Waramaug, Mashamoquet Brook, Mount Tom, Quaddick, Squantz Pond, Stratton Brook, Wadsworth Falls, Wharton Brook, and a state forest- Pachaug State Forest. Sampling for indicator bacteria commences the week prior to Memorial Day weekend and continues through Labor Day weekend. The water samples are collected by DEP staff and are analyzed by the CT Department of Public Health Laboratory (DPH).

Indicator bacteria are used to predict the threat of waterborne illness by detecting potential contamination from fecal material of human or animal origin. However, due to inherent uncertainty involved with sampling and analytical determination of bacteria levels, excursions from established ambient criteria are investigated by means of a field survey of sanitary conditions or other appropriate means to determine sanitary quality (Water Quality Standards). Therefore actual beach closure is based upon professional judgement which considers the magnitude of the exceedance and the results of a sanitary survey of the watershed. These determinations are made jointly by the DPH and the DEP. Additional sampling is conducted following a beach criteria exceedances. State Swimming Area Water Quality Report

Beach Monitoring and Closure Protocol (PDF, 180K): This document was written to standardize bathing beach monitoring and closure policies across a variety of agencies and municipalities. The document identifies indicator criteria and describes in detail the process for establishing a monitoring program, conducting sanitary surveys, and beach closure steps.

Indicator Bacteria Monitoring at Public Bathing Beaches (QAPP) (PDF, 359K): This Quality Assurance Project Plan describes in detail the procedures used to assure the indicator bacteria data collected from public bathing areas is reliable, credible, and usable for management decisions.

The EPA BEACH Program focuses on the following five areas to meet the program goals of improving public health and environmental protection programs for beach users and providing the public with information about the quality of their beach water:  1) Strengthening beach standards and testing; 2) Providing faster laboratory test methods; 3) Predicting pollution; 4) Investing in health and methods research; and 5) Informing the public.

State Swimming Area Water Quality Report