5 state park swimming areas off limits

CONNECTICUT (WFSB) - Five state park swimming areas were closed on Wednesday due to elevated levels of indicator bacteria.

The water at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield has been limits since earlier in the week.

Wednesday, Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield and Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury were added to the list.

Indian Well State Park in Shelton was listed Tuesday, but its water was good to go on Wednesday.

Officials said closures like these are common after heavy rain storms, which can lead to potentially contaminated runoff ending up in waterbodies.

DEEP said it tests water quality daily for the presence of indicator bacteria, which are not pathogen-causing bacteria. However, they are used as a tool to look at the potential for contamination.

The agency also said that while the water may be closed to swimmers, the parks remain open for other recreational activities.

Take a look at DEEP’s water quality report here.