Crystal Lake Beach Closed After Testing

ELLINGTON, CT — The public beach on Crystal Lake was closed off to swimming on Thursday over health concerns, town officials said.

"Due to water test results, the Crystal Lake Sandy Beach will be closed for Thursday, August 9, 2018," officials said on an announcement on social media. "We will post again when we can reopen the beach facility."

The North Central District Health Department conducted water tests at Sandy Beach within the last two days and the results, in two sections, were "higher than allowed," town officials said.

New tests were taken Thursday morning and results will be available Friday morning, officials said.

The North Central Health District advised the Town of Ellington to close Sandy beach until the results met the requirements allowed by health standards, officials said.

Town officials said they could not elaborate on what was in the water when contacted, citing lack of details on part of the regional health department.

Health department officials said elevated levels of coliform showed up in the beach area only. They said that could happen in anything from a puddle to a lake after a "big rain event." Officials called it "part of the natural environment."

Several samples were taken from the lake Thursday.

Photo Credit: Tim Jensen