Our beautiful Good Harbor Beach is in very serious trouble. Over the past several years the water at the tidal creek has tested with increasingly higher and higher levels of Enterococci Bacteria, indicating there is fecal matter in the water. Swimming at the Creek is no longer allowed at any time of year because of the astoundingly high levels of bacteria. Surfers surfing at the mouth of the Creek have come down with dysentery-like symptoms. Families are unfortunately allowed to play along the banks of the Creek in the sand, where fecal matter levels may even be higher, but without comprehensive testing, there is no way of knowing.
From the EPA – Enterococci are indicators of the presence of fecal material in water and, therefore, of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. These pathogens can sicken swimmers and others who use rivers and streams for recreation or eat raw shellfish or fish.
The Clean the Creek grassroots action group has organized a petition. Below is the description of the petition as well as a link to sign the petition, a link to the Clean the Creek website, and a link to a health form. If you have become ill after swimming at Good Harbor, please report as it will be very helpful in organizing data
Website: https://cleanthecreek.org
Health Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFetMaHkCEd_N48CkNezWtJ6SKW_KMNLZErjDs1LdVbYEzUw/viewform
CLEAN THE CREEK Petition Description
According to a recent investigation by the city, sewer infrastructure is one of the main causes of GHB creek pollution. Also heavy rains lead to significantly higher levels of bacteria such as enterococci. Enterococci bacteria is an indicator that there is fecal matter in the water. Exposure to Enterococci Bacteria can cause symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, pain when urinating, fatigue, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding gums, and subsequent infections that include meningitis, endocarditis, UTI, wound infections, sinus infections, and periodontitis. In our ongoing surveys a lot of these symptoms have been reported.
Clean the Creek is a grassroots organization devoted to creating a healthier ocean environment at Good Harbor Beach and surrounding water bodies of Cape Ann. Please help us reduce the ongoing bacterial water pollution impacting our health and environment. We are asking that the City of Gloucester act on the following:
● Increase testing frequency and expand to other areas.
● Find the underlying cause(s) to address the issue head-on.
● Partner with the State and Federal government to gain the necessary
support needed to solve the problem.
● Make it a top priority to find the proper supporting staff for our Board
of Health to champion this issue.
● Hold DPW accountable for monitoring the safety and well-being of
our waterways in regards to sewage overflow, upkeeping infrastructure, and oversight of new
projects which add to increased waste.
Sign the petition to act for our Mayor and City Council in Gloucester, MA!
*Must be a resident of Gloucester*
