Massachusetts, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Fifty-eight beaches across 36 towns in Massachusetts are closed due to unsafe water quality, primarily caused by elevated levels of harmful bacteria and algae. Public health officials recommend avoiding contact with water in these areas, while updates on testing can be found on the Department of Public Health’s dashboard. The number of closures has nearly doubled in the past month, reflecting growing environmental and health concerns following recent rainfall. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and heed warnings as conditions are evaluated.
Boston — Fifty-eight beaches across Massachusetts are closed as of late Tuesday morning due to elevated levels of harmful bacteria and algae, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reports. The closures affect beaches in 36 towns and are driven mainly by unsafe water quality that can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, eye and ear illnesses.
Key facts and current status
The DPH is maintaining an interactive beach water quality dashboard updated hourly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily to reflect testing results and closures. Water quality testing at public beaches runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Local health departments are required by state law to monitor bacteria levels at more than 1,100 public and semi-public beaches, with testing frequency set by each beach’s assessed risk and ranging from daily to monthly.
Scope and trends
The number of closed beaches has nearly doubled in the past month, rising from 31 closures on July 25 to 58 currently. Most closures are at freshwater ponds; only about 10 ocean beaches are affected. Bacteria and harmful algal blooms can intensify after heavy rainfall and may stem from sources such as failing septic systems, sewer overflows, animal waste, and agricultural runoff.
Health risks and public guidance
Public health officials advise avoiding swimming and any contact with water in closed areas. People at higher risk of severe illness—children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems—should be especially cautious. Common symptoms from exposure to contaminated water include stomach distress, cold-like symptoms, skin irritation, and eye or ear problems. While public access to shorelines for activities that do not involve water contact (such as sunbathing, sports on the sand, and shell collecting) remains permitted at closed sites, water contact should be avoided until testing shows bacteria and algae levels have returned to safe ranges.
Notable local situations
Examples of affected locations include Moses Smith Creek in Dartmouth and American Legion Park in Georgetown. Walden Pond State Reservation’s Red Cross Beach remains open but currently operates with no lifeguards while construction continues on a new $6.1 million bathhouse; construction is expected to continue through summer 2025. An outbreak of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria was reported at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth; that beach remains open with no formal advisory in place.
Timing and reopening
There is no fixed timeline for when closed beaches will reopen. Beaches can only return to public swimming status when bacterial and algal measurements fall within state-determined safe ranges and appropriate re-testing confirms the improvement.
Monitoring and causes
Beach monitoring is performed by local public health authorities following state requirements. Testing frequency is determined by each beach’s risk profile; higher-risk sites may be tested daily. Bacterial and algal levels can spike after storms and heavy rains, which wash pollutants into water bodies. Other common causes include failing septic systems, sewer overflows, animal waste, and runoff from agricultural lands.
Weather and short-term outlook
Thunderstorms and rain were expected to clear southern New England, but the DPH warnings and closures remain in place while testing continues and results are evaluated. The DPH recommends that beachgoers avoid swimming for 48 hours following heavy rainfall and to heed posted signs and online dashboard updates.
What the public should do now
- Check the DPH beach water quality dashboard for hourly updates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Avoid swimming or any water contact at beaches listed as closed.
- Observe posted signs and local health department instructions at individual sites.
- Watch for symptoms after water exposure and seek medical care if illness develops.
Background
State law requires routine monitoring of more than 1,100 public and semi-public beaches across Massachusetts. Testing takes place during the traditional beach season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with frequency based on local risk assessments. The DPH provides public reporting tools to inform residents and visitors of current conditions, relying on laboratory testing and local health authority observations to set closures and advisories.
FAQ
Which beaches are closed?
As of late Tuesday morning, 58 beaches in 36 towns across Massachusetts are closed for high bacteria or harmful algae levels. Most are freshwater ponds; about 10 are ocean beaches.
Why are beaches closed?
Closures are due to elevated bacteria or algal concentrations that pose health risks. Levels can increase after heavy rains or from sources such as septic failures, sewer overflows, animal waste, and agricultural runoff.
Is it safe to visit a closed beach?
Visiting the shoreline is allowed for non-water activities like sunbathing and sports, but any contact with the water is discouraged until tests show levels have returned to safe ranges.
How long will closures last?
There is no set timeline. Reopening depends on repeat testing that confirms bacteria and algal levels are within safe limits.
How often are beaches tested?
Testing occurs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Frequency is based on risk assessments and ranges from daily to monthly at different beaches. The DPH dashboard is updated hourly during daytime hours.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of closed beaches | 58 |
| Number of towns affected | 36 |
| Primary causes | High bacteria levels, harmful algal blooms; often increase after heavy rain, septic/sewer issues, animal waste, agricultural runoff |
| Ocean vs freshwater | About 10 ocean beaches; majority are freshwater ponds |
| Testing season | Memorial Day through Labor Day |
| Dashboard updates | Hourly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily |
| Common symptoms | Gastrointestinal illness, cold-like symptoms, skin irritation, eye and ear problems |
| Notable sites mentioned | Moses Smith Creek (Dartmouth), American Legion Park (Georgetown), Old Silver Beach (Falmouth – Vibrio reported but open), Walden Pond Red Cross Beach (open, no lifeguards) |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Nearly 60 Beaches Closed Due to Bacteria and Algae
- MassLive: Mass Beach Closures Over 45 Beaches Closed
- Boston 25 News: More Than 50 Massachusetts Beaches Closed
- Wikipedia: Beach
- CBS News: Hurricane Erin Beaches Closed in Massachusetts
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