WAILUA – Ocean Safety officials have posted “no swimming” signs along the Lydgate Beach ponds due to safety concerns, the county announced Thursday. Lifeguards have reported that muddy water and debris remain in the ponds and is said to be
WAILUA – Ocean Safety officials have posted “no swimming” signs along the Lydgate Beach ponds due to safety concerns, the county announced Thursday.
Lifeguards have reported that muddy water and debris remain in the ponds and is said to be the result of the heavy rains that flooded the island earlier this month.
The state Department of Health is currently taking water quality samples, a county news release states. The county will reopen the beach when the water is deemed safe for swimming.
The county on March 16 announced it had reopened Lydgate Park to the public after a two-week closure due to severe weather that resulted in heavy flooding at the park, as well as a spill from the Wailua Wastewater Treatment Facility.
County officials worked with the state Department of Health in following protocols prior to reopening the park.
That same day, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in his State of the County address said upgrades to the Po‘ipu and Lydgate Beach Park bathroom facilities are underway and more frequent cleaning.
On March 19, the Kaua‘i Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation released findings from a series of tests its volunteer Blue Water Task Force conducted on March 17, including the waters of Lydgate Beach Park. The tests revealed Enterococcus bacteria pollution.
For those wishing to swim or snorkel, the county advises going to Po‘ipu, Salt Pond or Kekaha beaches.
For more information on ocean safety, visit www.kauaiexplorer.com, speak to a county lifeguard or contact the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984.
