Mass. beach closures: 25 beaches closed on Saturday, July 19. Here’s where

Those looking to take a trip to the beach over the weekend may want to check to make sure it’s open.

Across Massachusetts, 25 beaches are closed on Saturday, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH). The majority of the closures are due to high levels of bacteria in the water. The presence of these organisms can come from stormwater run-off, failing or malfunctioning septic systems, combined and sanitary sewer overflows, leaking sewer pipes, illegal sewer hookups, wildlife and pet waste and agricultural runoff.

Four beaches are closed because of a bloom of harmful cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, DPH stated online. These algae blooms in freshwater areas can be harmful to people and animals who enter the water.

Lastly, one ongoing closure is at Walden Pond State Reservation’s main beach.

The beach will remain closed for the entirety of summer 2025 as a new, state-of-the-art $6.1 million bathhouse is constructed. Red Cross Beach at Walden Pond will remain open; however, there are no lifeguards on duty.

These are the Massachusetts beaches closed on Saturday:

To ensure beaches are safe for swimming, the DPH tests the water anywhere from daily to monthly, depending on the likelihood of water quality issues and the beach’s popularity.

If a beach is frequently used or prone to water quality issues, it’s tested more often, and vice versa, the DPH wrote.

Beaches remain closed until laboratory analysis shows bacteria levels are within the acceptable range for safe swimming.

“Laboratory analysis for all beach samples takes approximately 24 hours,” according to the department’s website. “So it is common for a beach closure to last a day or two following an exceedance.”

Swimming in beach water that has high levels of bacteria can be risky and can result in illnesses, including:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain
• Respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, runny nose and sneezing
• Dermatological symptoms, such as skin rash and itching
• Eye and ear symptoms, such as irritation, earache and itching
• Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills

It’s essential to check for any warnings or beach closures that indicate the water may be unsafe. To do this, check the weather, avoid swimming after heavy rain, watch for signs of water pollution such as discolored, fast-flowing and strong-smelling water, do not swim near trash or litter floating in the water, avoid swallowing the water and swim in areas designated as “swim beaches.”

Although a beach may be closed, the public can still visit the location and participate in other activities that don’t involve contact with the water. This can include activities such as playing sports like volleyball or frisbee, sunbathing or collecting seashells or sea glass, the DPH said.

The public can also do its part in helping to reduce contamination and pollution at the beach by:

• Cleaning up after pets
• Not feeding the birds as it encourages them to hang around the beaches, which increases fecal matter
• Using public restrooms
• Picking up and throwing away trash using public restrooms or properly disposing of it at home
• Not entering the water when sick or feeling unwell
• Changing diapers and putting plastic or rubber pants, known as swim diapers, on diapered children before they enter the water
• Not dumping anything down storm drains, as water moving through these drains does not get treated at a wastewater facility and flows directly into lakes and streams
• Avoiding the use of fertilizers and pesticides in yards since these chemicals can easily carry into the surface of waters during rain events and snowmelt
• Use walkways and avoid walking on dunes to prevent erosion and preserve vegetation that filters out pollutants from runoff before they reach the beach.

For more details from the DPH, please visit the agency’s website at this link.