Description

Why is the water quality off Short Beach deteriorating so badly, and what (if anything) can be done about it?

As recently as 2016 this location received a grade of A+ from the annual survey of Long Island Sound beaches. But by 2018 it was down to a C- grade, with very frequent failures (meaning too many feces-related bacteria) and extreme failures (meaning way too many on some occasions). This is happening whether it has rained or not, so it isn't just storm runoff.

By way of comparison, Branford Point received a B- and East Haven's town beach received an A+ for 2018.

You can see the full report at this site: https://app.box.com/s/34x69wjtq6zzfudfcp30bmwuh0a32zyu/file/500456480836?sb=/details

So what is the source of all this new fecal matter, in which people are swimming and boating?