10/07/2026
Recently some in town expressed concern about our seawater and possible contamination. I reached out to our DEP commissioner for clarification.
Each summer (Memorial Day–Labor Day), Old Orchard Beach partners with the Maine Healthy Beaches Program to test our coastal waters weekly for bacteria. This testing does NOT occur from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
The primary culprit of this bacteria is stormwater runoff caused by heavy rain.
When it storms:
• Rain washes across roofs, roads, and yards, picking up pet waste, wildlife droppings, and street debris.
• This untreated water enters storm drains and local waterways like Goosefare Brook, carrying the bacteria directly into the ocean where we swim.
The Healthy Beaches Program does NOT test for contaminants such as heavy metals and chemical compounds, like perchlorates, heavy metal ions or microplastics or PFAS. (Note - we are more likely to experience PFAS contamination in our drinking water as opposed to contamination from fireworks)
I hope this helps clarify concerns folks have expressed. Certainly, feel free to reach out to me at my legislative email: [email protected]
