Police: Martins Pond Remains Closed

Latest from the North Reading police on the status of Martins Pond

On August 9, 2017, the Town of North Reading Health Department conducted a visual assessment of Martins Pond for the presence of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) per the request of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As of today, Cyanobacteria is still present in many areas of Martins Pond.

Be advised that per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Martins Pond will remain closed and the following are prohibited uses until further notice.

• Human contact uses – boating, fishing and all other recreational uses
• Animal/pet contact uses.

The North Reading Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) want to advise all residents and transient residents that the Martins Pond water quality is still extremely toxic right now and potential contact uses and ingestion of water could be lethal for both children, adults and pets.

The North Reading Health Department will continue to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) over the next several weeks to continue the monitoring of Martins Pond and continue to provide updates to residents as to when it is safe to use Martins Pond for boating, fishing, and recreational uses.

MDPH advises that this is a common occurrence this time of the year in the Commonwealth with lakes and ponds. MDPH also advises there is no treatment for the Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), the best course of action is to restrict all uses and allow the Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) to take its course to subside and dissipate.

Note: Martins Pond is not an assigned bathing beach by the Town of North Reading Board of Health or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and does not conform to the provisions of the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 445.000 “Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches”. Recreational swimming at Martins Pond is prohibited.