PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY – UPDATE ON MARTINS POND
MARTIN POND REMAINS CLOSED
On August 9, 2017, the Town of North Reading Health Department conducted a visual assessment of Martins Pond for the presence of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) per the request of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As of today, Cyanobacteria is still present in many areas of Martins Pond.
Be advised that per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Martins Pond will remain closed and the following are prohibited uses until further notice.
- Human contact uses – boating, fishing and all other recreational uses
- Animal/pet contact uses.
The North Reading Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) want to advise all residents and transient residents that the Martins Pond water quality is still extremely toxic right now and potential contact uses and ingestion of water could be lethal for both children, adults and pets.
The North Reading Health Department will continue to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) over the next several weeks to continue the monitoring of Martins Pond and continue to provide updates to residents as to when it is safe to use Martins Pond for boating, fishing, and recreational uses.
MDPH advises that this is a common occurrence this time of the year in the Commonwealth with lakes and ponds. MDPH also advises there is no treatment for the Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), the best course of action is to restrict all uses and allow the Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) to take its course to subside and dissipate.
For additional information on harmful algae blooms in fresh water bodies and protecting your pets from harmful algae blooms, please click on links provided by the Health Department below:
Harmful Algae Blooms in Fresh Water Bodies: https://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/environmental/exposure/algae/algae-fresh-water-english.pdf
Protect Your Pets from Harmful Algae Blooms: https://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/environmental/exposure/algae/algae-pet-poster.pdf
Residents with additional questions and concerns can contact either Mr. Robert F. Bracey, Director of Public Health at the Town of North Reading Health Department 978-357-5242 or visit the Town Health Department web site at www.northreadingma.gov/health-department or Mr. Michael Celona at the Bureau of Environmental Health (BEH)
Note: Martins Pond is not an assigned bathing beach by the Town of North Reading Board of Health or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and does not conform to the provisions of the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 445.000 “Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches”. Recreational swimming at Martins Pond is prohibited.