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Following a series of tests indicating cyanobacteria levels well above the allowed thresholds, the camp operator of Camp Sewataro has announced that the ponds on the property will remain closed for the rest of the summer. The decision was made with input from the Sudbury Conservation Department as well us the Sudbury Board of Health according to the announcement.
“Based on further testing of the swimming and boating ponds, and in collaboration with the Sudbury Conservation Office and Board of Health, we have determined that the ponds will not reopen this summer.”
For full coverage of the test results, read our August 16 story here.
The closure is part of a widespread pattern of closures for public beaches in Massachusetts this summer. Over 50 beaches were closed just this past weekend. Elevated bacteria levels are frequently the cause, as is the case with Camp Sewataro.
The newly-added resident swimming program was interrupted soon after it was launched for the first time earlier this summer. There has not yet been a discussion about the future of that program, or swimming amenities on the property in general. However, cyanobacteria has been a growing problem across the state for years. The combination of more hot days and nutrients from stormwater can create the perfect conditions for cyanobacteria. The Board of Health recently discussed their expectation that this closures will become even more common.