What has been up with our water quality?

Fecal bacteria contamination has been a persistent problem in Short Beach swimming waters since at least the 1990s. At Johnson’s Beach (Clark Ave Beach), bacterial counts are in the top 4 out of 37 Connecticut beaches, as measured by Save the Sound (2016-2021).

In 2023, the Civic Association of Short Beach (CASB) and the East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD) conducted a study to identify the sources of bacterial contamination. Findings showed dog waste as the primary driver of bacterial

Civic Association of Short Beach and the East Shore District Health Department :

• Installed dog waste-specific bins and lids for the garbage bins to prevent rain water from entering and draining into our swimming water.
• Created the campaign, Clean Short Beach, Stop Poo-lution, to spread awareness.
• Secured funding to further understand and address this issue.
• Continue to study the water quality during through Summer 2024 season and currently to see if we are making improvements.

Evidence shows dog waste as the leading cause of contamination.
Always pick up after your dog! Dog waste disposal:
1. Best: use your own garbage bin.
2. Next best: use the dog waste bins installed around the neighborhood.

Here’s the scoop: we believe the regular garbage bins around the neighborhood leak. Avoid placing dog waste in the regular garbage bins.

Clean up dog waste in your yard daily. Place dog waste into your garbage bin. Do not throw dog waste into the river, marshes, woods, or any other location. Runoff leads into our beach water.

Swimming in contaminated water is a health risk and is just plain gross!

Dog waste contains bacteria and parasites including E. coli, salmonella, campylobacteria, roundworms, and more, causing gastrointestinal infections and other illnesses. Keeping dog waste out of our swimming water is safer for those who enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating, and preserves the Sound for all.

Thank you to everyone who has worked to
Clean Short Beach, Stop Poo-lution!