QUINCY – Nantasket Beach and other local areas have been closed to swimming as the summer’s persistent rain continues to cause unsafe bacteria levels.
Three of the closed beaches – Broady (Baker), Firestation and Norton – are in Quincy.
Other areas include Smith Beach in Braintree and Houghton’s Pond in Milton, which has been closed for the bulk of the summer.
According to the most recent information available, there are 54 such closures in the state.
Heavy rain can carry untreated and contaminated water into swimming areas. That runoff can expose swimmers to harmful microorganisms called pathogens, according to the EPA.
More:How many Quincy beaches can you name? Here’s a brief guide to them all
“When the water quality is unsafe, the beach is required to be posted with a sign that indicates swimming is unsafe and may cause illness,” according to the state’s website that maintains and updates the closure list as new results come in.
