Health & Fitness
Toxic Algae Recedes At Worcester Reservoir, Beach Reopens
Worcester closed water access, including at John J. Binienda beach, due to harmful cyanobacteria.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester has reopened beach and shoreline access at Coes Reservoir following a toxic algae bloom that appeared in the midst of a heat wave earlier this month.
According to health officials, the cyanobacteria Aphanizomenon was found in the water on July 20. That type of blue-green algae can produce toxins that are harmful — and in some cases deadly — to people and pets.
The algae receded after Worcester added an algaecide to the water on July 22.
The July 20 closure came as the Worcester area was seeing temperatures near 90, but with a heat index approaching 100. At the time, the John J. Binienda Memorial Beach at Coes was the third city swimming facility taken offline due to a problem.
Earlier this week, the city reopened the splash pad at East Park following repairs. The surfaces at the pad had become too slippery, according to officials. The beach at Indian Lake along Sherburne Avenue remains closed due to a lack of lifeguards.