Croton River Water Tests Above Acceptable Swimming Level

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — Water samples taken in the vicinity of Mayo's Landing and at the Croton Gorge Unique Area had levels of fecal coliform exceeding the acceptable range for swimming, village officials announced. The sample was taken Friday.

Officials said signage will be posted at Mayo’s Landing with this information. Village officials let the DEC know so that signage can be posted at the Unique Area (The 21-acre Croton Gorge Unique Area is sandwiched between the Croton River and the scenic path of the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park). The Westchester County Department of Health has been told.

Westchester County is responsible for sampling the water quality at Silver Lake Beach on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the season and there has been no evidence of bacteria in the water at Silver Lake.

One sample is not a definitive result. There could be a variety of reasons why this sample was high. The Village intends to continue to take samples from Mayo’s Landing and will share these results with the public as they become available, officials said.

Fecal coliform bacteria are used as indicators of possible sewage contamination to mark where swimming or eating shellfish might be a health risk, the EPA says.