Opinion: Contaminated waters need better signage and public notice

Since July 1, the Dartmouth Board of Health has declared the creek that lies on and adjacent to Round Hill Beach off-limits due to fecal coliform counts substantially over the acceptable limits.

 

However, but for one small sign on 8.5 x 11-inch business stationery posted on the town's "End of Town Beach" sign, nothing is being done to alert beach-goers to this health hazard, and large numbers of them continue to swim, wade and play in the creek daily.

 

Health Department officials say they've done their part, notifying the Parks Department to post a sign, but lifeguards have done nothing to enforce the order.

 

The creek water is tested weekly and has been well over the safe limits every week for the past month.