Contamination advisory

Signage indicating safe or hazardous swimming conditions on Maine beaches. Part of the Maine Healthy Beaches Program

What to do with doo

Brochure about the impact of pet waste on water quality

A Preliminary Examination of the Effects of Local Precipitation on Beach Water Quality at 3 Coastal Beaches in Maine

Stormwater runoff can negatively impact recreational water quality. When rain falls on the land, the water washes over the surface picking up bacterial pollutants from malfunctioning septic systems, wildlife, pet waste, etc. and are transported to the coastal surf-zone by runoff directly to the beach or via freshwater inputs such as rivers, streams and storm drains. The lag time (24-30 hrs) in obtaining fecal indicator bacteria results may pose a public health risk; therefore, some states have implemented an automatic precautionary rainfall advisory system where particularly high risk beaches are closed when rainfall exceeds predetermined levels which can vary widely (0.1-1in.) depending on the state, beach, and local conditions (Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, and Ohio1)

Maine Healthy Beaches Program: Summary Report of Enhanced Monitoring and Pollution Source Tracking Efforts in the New Salt Rd. Tributary, Goosefare Brook, Old Orchard Beach, Maine 2012-2014

The Goosefare Brook forms the border between the towns of Saco to the south and Old Orchard Beach (OOB) to the north. Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) has supported multi-year enhanced monitoring and pollution source tracking efforts, held Stakeholder Workshops, and more to address impaired water quality throughout the watershed. Over the past three years, MHB has focused primarily on OOB’s New Salt Rd. Tributary (NSRT). In 2014, 180 enterococci (ENT) samples at 17 sites and 149 optical brightener (OB) samples at 16 sites were analyzed. ENT values ranged from6,490 MPN/100mls with a combined geometric mean of 275 MPN for all sites. OB values ranged from 34 to 163 μg/l with a combined mean of 92 μg/l for all sites. Deviations from the NSRT-wide ENT geometric mean and mean OB values were also considered for each site. Seven sites located within the GFB-01 and GFB-05 series exhibited positive deviations from the NSRT-wide overall ENT geometric mean and 6 sites (largely within the GFB-05 series) demonstrated positive deviations from the OB mean. Results indicate widespread bacterial contamination throughout the tributary as well as priority areas likely impacted by human-sourced fecal contamination. Additionally, ENT levels appear to be increasing in the NSRT since 2012. As part of ongoing efforts to address water quality in the brook, both towns have investigated and removed sources of human wastewater and have expanded and upgraded sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Additionally, the towns worked together to acquire supplemental funding and have initiated a watershed management plan. However, persistent contamination issues underscore the need to continue investigations to ensure the integrity of wastewater disposal methods throughout the watershed

Maine Healthy Beaches 2014 Report to US EPA

There are more than 29 miles of public access beaches stretching along Maine’s coast. Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) is managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and coordinated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMaine Extension). This team worked with 28 local management entities to conduct routine monitoring, assessment and public notification of water quality conditions for 60 beach management areas spanning Kittery to Mount Desert Island. MHB is a voluntary program and monitoring coastal water quality for swimming and other water contact usage is the responsibility of local jurisdictions and is not mandated by state law. US EPA funding supports monitoring of moderate to high use beaches with adequate public access. Maine law allows public use of private beaches for “fishing, fowling and navigation” only

Summary Report of Enhanced Monitoring and Pollution Source Tracking Efforts in the Willard Beach Watershed, Maine, 2012-2016

Willard Beach is a popular recreation area located in South Portland used primarily by families with young children. Routine monitoring at the beach revealed elevated bacteria levels, prompting the need for enhanced monitoring within the watershed to determine the nature and extent of potential bacteria inputs. Although the waste of domestic and wild animals can contribute to impaired water quality and pose a public health risk, efforts have focused primarily on identifying and removing human sources (e.g. malfunctioning septic systems, faulty sewer lines) of fecal pollution

Maine Healthy Beaches Program 2016 Annual Report to U.S. EPA

Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) is managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) and coordinated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMaine Extension). In 2016, this team worked with 28 local management entities to conduct routine monitoring, assessment, and public notification of water quality conditions for 60 beach management areas spanning Kittery to Mount Desert Island. MHB staff continued to build local capacity for well-informed beach management and to address pollution issues when they arose during the beach season

Summary Report of Enhanced Monitoring and Pollution Source Tracking Efforts in Goosefare Brook, Maine, 2012-2016

The Goosefare Brook (GFB) forms the border between the City of Saco to the south and Town of Old Orchard Beach (OOB) to the north. In response to concerns over water quality in the mouth and adjacent beach water, the Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) program has supported multi-year enhanced monitoring and pollution source tracking efforts, held Stakeholder Workshops, and more to address impaired water quality throughout the watershed. Over the past five years, the MHB program has focused primarily on paired enterococci and optical brightener samples in OOB’s New Salt Rd. Tributary (NSRT). This work identified widespread bacterial contamination throughout the tributary as well as two priority regions likely impacted by human-sourced fecal contamination. In 2016, 36 samples were collected during eight events at nine sites within the two priorty areas identified through previous source-tracking efforts. Parameters tested include enterococci (ENT), optical brighteners (OBs), and microbial source tracking (MST) DNA analyses. ENT values ranged from 31 to 10,462 MPN/100mls with a combined geometric mean of 1,021 MPN for all sites. OB values ranged from 50 to 144 μg/l with a combined mean of 95 μg/l for all sites. All samples were tested for mammal and human DNA (presence/absence) and a subset of samples were also tested for the presence of bird, ruminant, and canine DNA. All samples tested positive for mammal DNA whereas percent detection of human sources varied between the two priority regions (mouth vs. marsh). Human sources were detected consitently in the mouth region with seasonal spikes in signal stregth during July and September, the portion of the year when OOB experiences its peak population comprised primarily of seasonal residents and visitors. Human sources were detected intermittely at marsh locations, potentially pointing to occasional use of a residence and/or groundwater transport of pollution sources. Bird DNA was detected in all samples tested and the signal strength remained consistent throughout the season for both regions. No ruminant or canine was detected in samples tested. The pollution source tracking tools used as part of this study were combined into a risk factor analysis highlighting sites potentially impacted by human sources of fecal contamination. It is recommended that OOB prioritize investigations in these priority regions to identify and remove sources of human sewage. As part of ongoing efforts to address water quality in the GFB, both municipalities have investigated and removed sources of human wastewater, have expanded and upgraded sewer and stormwater infrastructure, and have worked together to acquire supplemental funding to complete a watershed management plan and begin implementation of best management practices (BMPs). However, persistent human-sourced contamination issues underscore the need to continue investigations to ensure the integrity of wastewater disposal methods throughout the GFB watershed