Monponsett Pond - Algae Test Results - August 21

On Monday, August 21st, MassDEP collected water samples on East and West Monponsett Ponds. The samples were analyzed by MassDEP on August 23rd.  The East Monponsett sample, collected at the Rt 36 boat ramp in Halifax showed cyanobacteria levels of 41,041 cells/ml. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has indicated that it will consider this result to be "clean" (below 70,000) and if the result from next week is under 70,000, East Monponsett will be re-opened. The West Monponsett Pond samples showed cyanobacteria levels of 117,540 cells/ml at 4th Avenue Beach and 117,221 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 will be closed until at least September 7, 2017 and East Monponsett Pond will be closed until at least August 31, 2017.