Update, 2:20 p.m., Thursday: The DEEP reopened swimming at Rocky Neck State Park this afternoon.
“It is certainly good news that our shoreline beaches and almost all of our inland beaches will be open for the 4th of July weekend,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty in a press release. “Connecticut has worked tirelessly for years to improve the water quality at all of our state beaches and the efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in the days that we have to close our swimming areas. Even with the effects of Tropical Storm Irene last year, we still had a beach closure rate only slightly above our average.
“The state has invested billions of dollars over the past 40 years to support the construction of municipal sewage treatment plants in order to improve water quality,” Esty said.
“We are also focused on improving the management of storm water runoff, to reduce instances when water from storms travels over the terrain and picks up bacteria that contaminate swim areas,” Esty said. “We are working closely with developers and municipalities to find alternative ways of developing land and managing stormwater that is aimed at minimizing the impacts of urbanization on natural resources and water quality.”
Original, Tuesday:
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection closed swimming at Rocky Neck State Park on Wednesday after poor water quality tests came back in the wake of Monday's intense storm.
Resampling was scheduled for Wednesday with the results expected Thursday. The park remains open except for swimming.
Stay tuned to Patch for updates.
