E. Coli Swim safely
We want to do our part to keep you safe while swimming in Clough Pond. You need to do your part. Before going swimming check here for the latest results.
Good news(2019): The Town will again work with the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to have the beach tested for e. coli, cyanobacteria, etc. on a regular schedule this coming summer.
Test Results for e. coli at the Town Beach
The State threshold for concern: A single sample greater than 155 MPN/100ml or a pair of samples each exceeding 88 MPN/100ml.
| Date | Location | Results (MPN/100ml) | Sampled By | | August 7, 2019 | Beach Left | 17.1 | State | | | Beach Right | 1.0 | State | | July 11, 2019 | Beach Left | >1.0 | State | | | Beach Right | 2.0 | State | | June 3, 2019 | Beach Left | 3.1 | State |
| Beach Right | 7.5 | State | | August 13, 2018 | Beach Left 1 | 4.1 | State |
| Beach Left 2 | 10.8 | State |
| Beach Right | 7.5 | State | | July 17, 2018 | Beach Left 1 | 10.7 | State |
| Beach Left 2 | 18.3 | State | | | Beach Right | 10.8 | State | | June 19, 2018 | Beach Left | 7.4 | State |
| Beach Right | 1.0 | State | | August 16, 2017 | Beach Left | 7.4 | Town | | | Beach Right | 4.1 | Town | | July 10, 2017 | Beach Left | 54.8 | Town | | | Beach Right | 18.7 | Town | | June 20, 2017 | Beach Left | 21.1 | Town |
| Beach Right | 27.9 | Town | | May 3, 2017 | Beach Left | 2.0 | Town |
| Beach Center | 6.2 | Town |
| Beach Right | 5.2 | Town | | August 25, 2016 | Beach Left | 3.1 | CPA |
| Beach Center | 6.2 | CPA |
| Beach Right | 1.0 | CPA | | August 18, 2016 | Beach Center | 4.1 | Town | | July 27, 2016 | Beach Center | 3.1 | Town | | July 20, 2016 | Beach Left | 5.2 | CPA |
| Beach Center | 2,419.6* | CPA |
| Beach Left | 34.1 | CPA | | June 27, 2016 | Beach Left | 57.6 | CPA |
| Beach Center | 72.3 | CPA |
| Beach Right | 53.7 | CPA | | June 22, 2016 | Beach Center | 8.6 | Town | | August 10, 2015 | Beach Left | less than 2.0 | CPA | | Beach Center | 4.0 | CPA | | Beach Right | less than 2.0 | CPA | | July 21, 2015 | Beach Left | 6.0 | CPA |
| Beach Center | less than 2.0 | CPA |
| Beach Right | 4.0 | CPA | | June 26, 2015 | Beach Left | less than 2.0 | CPA |
| Beach Center | 2.0 | CPA |
| Beach Right | less than 2.0 | CPA | | August 24, 2014 | Beach Center | 1.3 | Town | | June 24, 2014 | Beach Center | 1.3 | Town | | June 30, 2003 | Beach Center | 36 | Town | | August 10, 1990 | Beach Center | 3 | Town |
*This sample resulted in the Town posting an advisory about the e. coli at the beach.
What is Happening
Chief Rick Wright (a.k.a. Loudon Town Health Officer) directs samples of water to be taken on a regular basis at the Town Beach. He then has the laboratory at the State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services analyse those samples. The Chief then makes the results available to the Clough Pond Association for us to post here. The Chief is following the guidelines set forth by the State of NH, Department of Environmental Service, Beach Advisory Program.
Fecal matter can enter the water as animal waste from bird droppings or from pet or human activity near the beach or in its waters. If e. coli is present there is an increased chance that swimmers will become ill 3 or 4 days after exposure but sometimes as early as 1 day or as late as 9 days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has this to say about e. coli:
"Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness, either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons."
Footnote: The Clough Pond Association has no authority over the beach. It is owned by the Town of Loudon and the Town retains all responsibility over the beach. We post results here as a courtesy to the Town residents.
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