RAYMOND–A convergence of factors that combined to spike bacteria counts at Raymond Beach are being blamed for the closing of the popular spot on Tuesday, spoiling bathers chance to cool themselves during the summer’s first blast of hot, steamy weather.

Warm water along with discarded baby diapers, sewage and garbage are being eyed as the main culprits for high readings of E. coli bacteria measured by water quality testers at the beach on Sebago Lake on June 29.

As a result of the bacteria, the beach was closed Tuesday, but it was reopened Thursday after E. coli levels were found to have fallen to a level of 53 organisms per 100 milliliters.

According to district spokeswoman Michelle Clements, the reading on June 29 was 1,553 organisms per 100 milliliters, well above the allowed limit of 235 organisms per 100 milliliters. When Raymond officials received notice from the water district, the beach was immediately closed and signs were created indicating the beach was closed.

That closure took more than a week however, according to Town Manager Don Willard. The water district’s contact, Code Enforcer Chris Hanson was on vacation last week when an e-mail was sent regarding the high bacteria count. When town employees returned to work on Tuesday, Hanson’s e-mail was checked and the district’s e-mail was read and acted upon.

“As soon as we got notice, we immediately closed the beach. It was a frantic day to say the least,” Willard said.

As a result of the miscommunication between the town and the water district, Willard said the district will now have two contacts at the town, Hanson as well as Health Officer Cathy Gosselin.

Popular spot

Raymond Beach is one of the few accessible beaches on Sebago Lake that is free and open to the public. The narrow strip of beach, which is located adjacent to the town’s boat launch on Route 302, has been closed multiple times in the past due to high bacteria counts, which public officials say are caused by careless boaters and beachgoers.

Willard said the recent high temperatures have helped to warm the shallow water in Jordan Bay near the beach, acting as an incubator of sorts for organisms such as E. coli. Sewage from boats using the adjacent boat ramp, duck feces (Raymond Beach is a haven for ducks) and people relieving themselves in Jordan Bay, along with discarded baby diapers and garbage left by unscrupulous beachgoers, all aid to contaminate the water at the beach, he said.

“Those factors along with a lack of common sense from people using the beach is a huge problem, one that we have been combating for a long time,” Willard said.

Nathan White, the town’s public works director, said he cleans the beach daily in the summertime and finds hypodermic needles, used condoms and soiled baby diapers at the shore’s edge.

“We regularly fill a 36-gallon trash can, if not two. Monday mornings, after the weekend, is good for two,” White said. “It’s unreal the amount of garbage that gets left there.”

Willard said it is the town’s hope that people will begin to respect the beach by carrying out what they carry in.

“We don’t have any trash receptacles at the beach, namely because they would overfill instantly,” Willard said. “We’ve tried that approach. It’s a never-ending battle, and we get behind in our best efforts. We just need people to be responsible and carry out their trash.”

According to Raymond Fire Chief Denis Morse, who lives on Sebago Lake and says its common for lakeside residents to see boaters relieve themselves in the water, said swimmers at the beach aren’t the only culprits for the high bacteria counts. Boaters, many of whom he said treat the lake like a toilet, are at fault as well.

“It’s really not fair to only blame the swimmers. I think it’s a combination of factors,” Morse said. “I can’t help but think the people who (relieve themselves in the lake) after spending a day drinking beer, I’ve got to believe that is having an impact on this lake.”

A convergence of factors that combined to spike bacteria counts at Raymond Beach are being blamed for the closing of the popular spot this week.
Staff photo by John Balentine