The health district's bathing water monitoring program has been nationally recognized. Public beaches in East Haven and Branford are sampled weekly to determine if the bathing water meets quality criteria. EPA established bacterial standards are used for marine beaches to determine acceptable levels. If standards are exceeded for any given beach, the beach is closed until re-sampling shows improved water quality. The beach is posted with signs indicating the beach closure. During the season, bathers could call the health district to determine beach open/closure status.
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