State Gets Cash to Test Beach Water; Public Facilities Will Use Funds to Monitor Levels of Bacteria
Posted on: Friday, 20 January 2006, 18:00 CST
By Freeman Klopott/Patriot Ledger Washington Bureau; FREEMAN KLOPOTT
Patriot Ledger Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - Although it's early in the winter, the Environmental Protection Agency is getting ready for summer at the beach and has announced nearly $10 million in grants for water quality management. Public beaches in Massachusetts will share a $254,440 grant. Vivien Li, executive director of the Boston Harbor Association, called the amount "a little bit disappointing."
"It doesn't buy a lot," she said.
The EPA will spend $9.85 million this year to comply with a 2000 law requiring it to send grants to 35 states with beachfront property. The money is used to test water for bacterial contamination and to notify the public of the results. If the bacterial count at a beach exceeds the standard, it is closed to swimmers.
In Massachusetts, the state Department of Public Health handles the money and distributes it to cities and towns to conduct weekly tests. The Quincy Department of Health uses the money at the 12 city beaches: Avalon, Mound, Broady (Baker), Rhoda, Edgewater, Parkhurst, Heron, Chikatawbot, Nickerson, Orchard, Merrymount and Germantown Firestation.
DPH spokeswoman Donna Rheaune said this year's grants will continue to cover the cost of the weekly testing. In Quincy the water is tested on Wednesdays during high tide. If a measurement is too high, the beach is closed until retesting can be conducted at a cost of $30 to the city, city health commissioner Andrew Scheele said.
Source: Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass.
Related Articles
- Sher Leff, LLP Announces ExxonMobil Found Liable for $105 Million for Contaminating New York City's Drinking Water Supply
- ASPH Supports President Obama's Selection of New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, for CDC Director
- HealthSouth Granted Certificate of Public Need to Build Rehabilitation Hospital in Loudoun County, Va.
- AT&T Awards $107,000 Grant to the Public School Forum of North Carolina
- Statement of the American Diabetes Association on the New York City Health Department's Proposal to Phase Out Artificial Trans Fat in All Restaurants
- CPB Awards Grants to 85 Public Radio Stations for Transition to Digital Service
- PLENTY OF DROPS TO DRINK: Kansas City Has Some of the Best City-Treated Water in the Country According to the Tests.
- Research and Markets: Humana is One of the Nation's Largest Publicly Traded Health Benefits Companies, Serving Approximately 7 Million Medical Members
- Correction: Public Employees Health Program
- ECD Ovonics Subsidiary Ovonic Fuel Cell Company Awarded Grant By Michigan Public Service Commission
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds