MAINE PUBLIC • July 11, 2023
Thirty-six beaches in Maine were considered potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day of bacteria testing in 2022, according to a recent report. Sewage overflows and runoff pollution contaminated the waters surrounding multiple popular swimming spots such as Gooch's Beach in Kennebunkport and Ferry Beach in Scarborough. John Rumpler is the clean water director at the Environment Maine Research & Policy Center who co-authored the report. With the heavy precipitation these last few weeks, Rumpler is worried that pollution levels may be higher. Beach water quality updates can be found on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website.