GRAFTON – Silver Lake Beach will remain closed until at least Friday, Aug. 2, due to the presence of cyanobacteria in the water.
According to Adam Lapointe, director of the Recreation Department, the beach was closed on Thursday, July 25, when staff noticed potential blooms of cyanobacteria.
“Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can be harmful to bathers and animals who go into the beach,” he said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we closed Silver Lake until we could get a cyanobacteria test with favorable results. The local and state health boards were immediately notified.”
Test results came back on Friday, July 26, and found the cyanobacteria levels were safe. However, the state’s Department of Public Health recommends two rounds of samples, taken at least one week apart, showing safe levels before the beach can be reopened.
Lapointe said that if the samples on Aug. 2 show safe levels, the beach will reopen on Saturday, Aug. 3.
While the advisory is in effect, no one – including pets – should be going into the water.
More information on cyanobacteria can be found at https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water.
Please contact the department with any questions at [email protected] or 508-839-8507, visit www.GraftonRec.com, and follow on Facebook (@GraftonRecDept) for the latest updates.
