Monponsett Pond - Algae Test Results - August 14

On Monday, August 14th, MassDEP collected water samples on East and West Monponsett Ponds. The samples were analyzed by MassDEP on August 16th.  The East Monponsett sample, collected at the Rt 36 boat ramp in Halifax showed cyanobacteria levels of 39,898 cells/ml. Although the cell count is below the normal 70,000 maximum, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has recommended, based on the visual evidence at East Monponsett, that East Monponsett be closed. The West Monponsett Pond samples showed cyanobacteria levels of 82,126 cells/ml at 4th Avenue Beach and 117,188 cells/ml at the state boat ramp. The levels in West Monponsett Pond are above the MDPH guideline level of 70,000 cells/ml. MDPH recommends that an advisory be posted at each access point at the water body to warn against water contact. MassDEP will conduct sampling at the waterbody next week. Result: West Monponsett Pond and East Monponsett are both closed until at least August 31, 2017.