High levels of E. Coli prompts the shut-down of Dean Park pond

On August 13th, 2020, the Shrewsbury local government announced Dean Park Pond’s public health advisory was lifted for fishing activities. No swimming or wading is allowed at this time.

Update on July 30th, 2020

Just a week after lifting the “public health advisory,” the local government has ordered again to close Dean Park Pond for the same initial reasons: laboratory testing showing high levels of E. Coli.

“Town officials advise individuals and their pets to avoid contact with the pond, including fishing, until further notice,” the notice states.

Update on July 23rd, 2020

The local government announced that the “public health advisory has been lifted for Dean Park Pond in Shrewsbury.”

“Fishing activities can now resume; however, no swimming or wading is allowed in this pond,” the town health agency stated.

Original story as July 11th, 2020:

The local government ordered to close the pond at Dean Park “until further notice” after high levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria were detected in the water.

The water doesn’t meet current health and safety standards for human or pet contact, nor fishing.

“During our routine seasonal weekly water quality monitoring of select bodies of water in Shrewsbury, high levels of E. Coli were detected in the pond at Dean Park,” said the local government in a statement posted on July 10th, 2020.

The Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH) and the Shrewsbury Board of Health ordered the pond closing that will last until “further laboratory tests reveal acceptable and safe water quality limits.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness, either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons.

For more information, the Shrewsbury Post recommends you contact the Shrewsbury Health Department at 508-841-8384.