07-23-2011, 11:10 AM
LITTLETON, Colo. - The swim beach at Chatfield State Park was temporarily closed Wednesday because routine water quality tests, performed to meet Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements, contained higher than allowable bacteria levels, said Keith Kahler, Chatfield State Park's Assistant Manager.
"These water quality tests are performed at least once a week to protect the public," said Kahler. He said that health officials indicated that the high levels of the bacteria, E. coli, may have occurred due to recent heavy rains and high temperatures. Park staff closed the beach to swimming Wednesday morning, immediately after getting the tests results, and took new water samples from the area for testing to monitor the bacteria levels.
The swim beach at Chatfield was closed earlier this month, on July 7, for the same reason. The swim beach reopened on July 11, when the bacteria levels dropped below the permissible level.
The water will be tested daily to monitor the situation and when the bacteria levels meet CDPHE standards, the swim beach will be reopened, said Kahler. Water quality testing in natural swimming areas is mandated by the CDPHE and the Colorado Board of Health.
Park staff members who test the water quality at Chatfield Lake are trained to properly obtain the samples. Kahler said that the high count leading to this temporary closure was unexpected because Chatfield Lake's test results are usually very low. For information on when the beach will re-open, please contact the park office at (303) 791-7275 or visit our website at www.parks.state.co.us.
Media Contact
Keith Kahler, (303) 791-7275, chatfield.park@state.co.us<br />
Deb Frazier, (303) 866-3203, ext. 4342, deb.frazier@state.co.us
"These water quality tests are performed at least once a week to protect the public," said Kahler. He said that health officials indicated that the high levels of the bacteria, E. coli, may have occurred due to recent heavy rains and high temperatures. Park staff closed the beach to swimming Wednesday morning, immediately after getting the tests results, and took new water samples from the area for testing to monitor the bacteria levels.
The swim beach at Chatfield was closed earlier this month, on July 7, for the same reason. The swim beach reopened on July 11, when the bacteria levels dropped below the permissible level.
The water will be tested daily to monitor the situation and when the bacteria levels meet CDPHE standards, the swim beach will be reopened, said Kahler. Water quality testing in natural swimming areas is mandated by the CDPHE and the Colorado Board of Health.
Park staff members who test the water quality at Chatfield Lake are trained to properly obtain the samples. Kahler said that the high count leading to this temporary closure was unexpected because Chatfield Lake's test results are usually very low. For information on when the beach will re-open, please contact the park office at (303) 791-7275 or visit our website at www.parks.state.co.us.
Media Contact
Keith Kahler, (303) 791-7275, chatfield.park@state.co.us<br />
Deb Frazier, (303) 866-3203, ext. 4342, deb.frazier@state.co.us