AMHERST — The main beach at Puffer’s Pond is temporarily closed to swimmers due to high levels of E. coli in the water.
Routine water samples taken on June 24 showed higher than normal E. coli levels in the water at the main beach located on State Street, according to an alert posted on the Town of Amherst website.
The high reading is “not an uncommon occurrence at many similar ponds in our region this time of year and is likely due to recent heavy rains and runoff,” according to the alert.
Puffer’s Pond was also temporarily closed last year due to high E. coli levels.
The Amherst Health Department took additional samples on Wednesday and could have results back on Thursday.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.