The swimming area in Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic is closed due to high bacteria levels in the water, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
There is a nearby marsh with decaying vegetation and animal feces that feeds into the swimming area and led to the higher than normal bacteria level, according to the DEEP.
“The bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting and then depending on how serious the bacteria levels were it could escalate from there. But best to stay out of the water,” said Dennis Schain, DEEP spokesperson.
DEEP routinely tests all state swimming areas.
DEEP will retest the water on Monday to see if the bacteria drops back to a safe level.
If you do swim in contaminated water, officials recommend you immediately shower.
Other areas of the park, including picnic and hiking areas, remain open to the public.
Local
Last week the swimming areas at Gardner Lake State Park in Salem and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield were closed due to high levels of bacteria. Those areas were retested Thursday and the results will be available Friday.
