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The swimming area at the popular state park is closed Thursday due to the presence of "indicator bacteria," the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced.
According to the department, "indicator bacteria are not disease causing pathogens, but are one of the tools used by public health and environmental protection authorities to evaluate the potential for contamination of waterbodies."
DEEP staff collects samples weekly, which are analyzed at the department of public health lab. Local health departments are responsible for sampling municipal beaches and swimming areas, the department said.
Squantz Park is a popular summer beach and frequently is forced to close on summer weekends when the parking lot fills up. On July 4, the park's parking lot was filled to capacity by 8:15 a.m.
DEEP officials and the leadership in New Fairfield are at odds over the policy of allowing walk-in visitors at the popular par. Click here to read about the issue in the Daily Voice.
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