The end of the long stretch of rainy weather and the return of more normal July temperatures has improved water quality at local swimming holes, according to the latest round of testing by the Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance's (SeVWA's) water quality monitoring program.
Water samples taken on July 17 found every swimming hole they tested in the West River and Whetstone Brook watersheds had E. coli results below the Vermont and EPA standard for swimming suitability of 235 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water.
On the West River, Milk House Meadows in Brattleboro had a reading of 42, while the swimming hole beneath the Dummerston Covered Bridge had a reading of 33 and the Brookline Bridge swimming hole checked in at 56. A sample from South Londonderry above the Route 100 bridge saw 91.
Indian Love Call, on the Rock River in Newfane, registered 14, while Pikes Falls in Jamaica saw 11. The Whetstone Brook behind the former site of the Brattleboro Food Co-op read 118, while further upstream by the Brattleboro Farmers' Market, a 167 reading was logged.
Two sites on the Williams River were over the limit, with the Bartonsville Bridge swimming hole at 276 and Missing Link Road bridge in Chester at 236. Other swimming holes were under the limit.
Three sites on the Saxtons River also exceeded the 235 standard - Westminster (326), and Saxtons River below the wastewater treatment plant (249) and at Stickney Field (236).
SeVWA says that swimming in water with an E. coli level greater than 235 per 100 milliliters puts one at a greater risk of developing a waterborne illness.
The next test will take place on July 31 and Aug. 14 and 28, all Wednesdays. Results will be posted at bit.ly/1dfKDHx.