Beach Water Quality Testing FAQ
The information below provides a basic introduction to the Beach and River Water Quality Testing done by the Town of Kennebunkport. The questions and answers should help you better understand our testing program. If you would like additional or more in-depth information please see our website for additional information, links, or contact the Public Health Department.
The questions included on this page are listed below. You can scroll through the page or click on the question you would like the answer to and it will bring you to that part of the page automatically.
This page is a "living document," if you have additional questions you think should be included please let us know.
- Why are we testing?
- What are we testing for?
- What are Flag Bacteria?
- Where are we testing?
- When are we testing?
- How do we test for flag bacteria?
- Are we still testing at Batson and Little River?
- Why did the Town choose to post a public advisory at the rivers (Batson River and Little River)?
- What does it mean if a beach advisory is posted?
- How long does a beach advisory last?
- Will I get sick if I swim in the water when there is a beach advisory?
- Can I still go to the beach when there is a beach advisory?
- What is the Maine Healthy Beaches Program?
- What are the symptoms of waterborne illness?
- How are recreational waterborne illnesses contracted?
- What do I do if I think I got sick from the water with high levels of bacteria?
- Has the number of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) threshold exceedances increased over the past 20 years at GRB?
- Why is the water brown? Does that mean it's dirty?
Testing FAQs
Why are we testing?
To warn people when there are risks of recreational waterborne illnesses and to keep people safe.
Towns and cities across the country test water quality at ponds, lakes, and beaches. All open bodies of water contain some infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. Usually, these organisms are at a low level and pose little risk to swimmers. However, these levels can rise due to factors such as rainfall, agricultural runoff, pet or wildlife waste, or malfunctioning septic systems, increasing the potential risk of illness.
The Town of Kennebunkport’s Water Quality Testing Program monitors levels of fecal indicator bacteria. The Town of Kennebunkport, like many other towns and cities across the country, monitors the water quality of our beaches to assess the risk of pollution, and identify and notify the public of potential health risks. The work we do along the beaches (at sites GR-2 and GR-4 and at Colony Beach) is done in partnership with Maine Healthy Beaches.
What are we testing for?
We are testing for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), also known as “flag bacteria.” The indicator bacteria themselves might not make someone sick, but their presence suggests that pathogens may also be present, and these pathogens could make someone sick.
We are doing additional testing at the sites at the river mouths for human DNA.
What are Flag Bacteria?
Flag Bacteria are used to indicate the possible presence of pathogenic (disease causing) organisms that may be present in the same environment as the indicator. The actual pathogenic organisms are too many and too difficult/costly to measure. The US EPA recommended Flag Bacteria for marine recreational waters is enterococci.
Where are we testing?
Under the Maine Healthy Beaches Program, we are testing two sites along the main beach at Goose Rocks (GR-2 and GR-4) and the site at Colony Beach twice weekly.
The Town is also testing both tidal river mouths (GR-1 and GR-5) once a week. Results from the river mouth tests are publicly available on the Town website: River Water Quality Testing.
A map showing the locations of these sites can be found on our website at: https://www.kennebunkportme.gov/public-health-department/water-quality-testing-program
When are we testing?
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the main Goose Rocks Beach sites and the Colony Beach site are tested twice a week, on both Monday and Wednesday mornings and retested as needed.
The river sites are tested once weekly on Monday at the same time as those tested under the Maine Healthy Beaches Program. Additional testing for human DNA is done by the Town twice a month at both river mouths.
How do we test for flag bacteria?
Are we still testing at Batson River and Little River?
Yes. The Town does weekly testing for Flag Bacteria and we test at least twice a month for human DNA. Test results can be found at: River Water Quality Testing.
Why did the Town choose to post a permanent public advisory at the rivers (Batson and Little Rivers)
Years of data collection through the Maine Healthy Beaches program has shown the tidal rivers bordering Goose Rocks Beach frequently exceed EPA water quality standards after significant rainfall and during low tide – especially during the new and full moon tide cycles. Because of this variability of bacteria levels throughout the day, the Town has chosen to safeguard the public and give a permanent advisory at the rivers (Batson and Little Rivers). The Town advises people to avoid water contact in the rivers, especially for immunocompromised individuals. This phenomenon also exists at the east end of the beach, but the 20 years of data show that the risk level is significantly lower and doesn’t warrant the same advisory.
Advisory FAQs
What does it mean if a beach advisory is posted?
When an advisory is issued for a particular beach, water contact is discouraged. People should avoid any activities during which they might swallow water, such as swimming, surfing, diving, and kayaking. People should wash their hands thoroughly before eating if playing in or around water that has above normal bacteria levels. Pet owners are advised to keep their pets out of the water during an advisory to prevent them from drinking the water.
It is recommended to avoid all water contact activities when an advisory is in place. The risk of illness can result from contacting the water, including ingestion of water while swimming, getting water in the nose, eyes, or ears, or entry through an open wound.
How long does a beach advisory last?
A beach advisory lasts until monitoring results are below US EPA’s safety standards for recreational water contact, or when conditions at the beach no longer pose a health risk. Once the initial sample results are recorded into the Maine Healthy Beaches database, an alert is sent to the local Beach Manager and a resample is scheduled. When necessary, the monitoring frequency is increased until the results are “clean,” prompting the removal of an advisory. Check with the local Beach Manager for the most current conditions and beach status.
Will I get sick if I go into the water when there is a beach advisory?
There is always a potential risk of contracting a recreational waterborne illness when the water is contaminated; however, individuals have varying tolerances/immunity levels. When bacteria levels are elevated or there are increased pollution levels, the probability of contracting an illness increases. Open wounds and full head immersion may increase this risk.
Exposure to bacteria in the water can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills, and fever. Skin rashes and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat may also occur. Children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of getting sick when they come into contact with contaminated water. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your physician.
Can I still go to the beach when there is a beach advisory?
Yes! There are plenty of fun, healthy activities to do at the beach that don’t involve water contact, such as walking and playing on the beach, flying kits, picnicking, and much, much more.
Other FAQs
What is the Maine Healthy Beaches Program?
The Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) Program is a statewide effort to monitor water quality and protect public health at Maine’s participating coastal saltwater beaches. It is a partnership between the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and local municipalities/state parks. For more information on the Maine Healthy Beaches Program visit their website at: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/beaches/index.html
What are the symptoms of recreational waterborne illness?
Recreational waterborne illnesses symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills, and fever. Skin rashes and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat may also occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your physician and report any recreational water derived illnesses to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Hotline (24/7): 1-800-821-5821.
For more information about swimming related illnesses please visit the CDC website page on swimming-related illnesses. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi.html
How are recreational waterborne illnesses contracted?
Recreational waterborne illnesses may be contracted by swallowing or having contact with contaminated water (freshwater or saltwater). The water can become contaminated by fecal matter which carries harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses. These unsanitary conditions can be a result of several possible sources:
- Waste from wildlife, domestic animals, and pets
- Malfunctioning subsurface wastewater disposal (septic) or sanitary collection (sewage treatment plant) systems
- Boats discharging sewage into the water
- Contaminated stormwater runoff
- Improperly disposed of diapers
- Children not properly cleaned after using the bathroom
- Swimmers with diarrhea
- A vomiting or fecal accident in the water
What do I do if I think I got sick from the water with high levels of bacteria?
Recreational waterborne illness symptoms may include: nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills and fever. Skin rashes and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat may also occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your physician and report any recreational water derived illnesses to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Hotline (24/7): 1-800-821-5821.
Has the number of EPA threshold exceedances increased over the past 20 years?
No. The data collected over the past 20 years show no significant increase or decrease in the percentage of samples exceeding the EPA water quality threshold.
Why is the water brown? Does that mean it's dirty?
The brown color of the water is caused by the presence of tannins. Tannins are natural, organic materials produced by decaying vegetation. Water in marshy, low-lying, or coastal areas is also more susceptible to tannins.
After a significant rainfall (greater than 1 inch), water can also have a deeper brown coloration because of suspended or floating sediment.
Neither of these are direct indicators of higher levels of bacteria. However, as we do know that significant rainfall is associated with higher levels of bacteria, water contact should be avoided after such an event.