Elevated bacteria levels close swimming areas in Raymond, Scarborough and Rockland

More than 10 swimming areas in Maine are closed due to elevated bacteria levels, including nine beaches and Tassel Top Park on Jordan Bay in Sebago Lake in Raymond and Chickawaukie Lake in Rockland. Tassel Top Park in Raymond is closed to swimmers until further notice due to elevated levels of E. coli. Park officials decided to close the beach to swimming “out of an abundance of caution,” but the park remains open for picnicking, relaxing, and other activities, according to a social media post. The lake will be closed until further notice while tests are conducted. Rockland has also issued [an advisory against swimming in Chickawaukie Lake](https://www.facebook.com/CityofRocklandME/posts/pfbid02Y6CBibvpgENL2f5LSi7cdP3bAidxkDr797fWXZYvgSmVhSJ5FJVk2dSbmNdvc51zl?rdid=Npn8YHmtkZCLo3rj#) due to E. coli levels. Michelle Clements, of the Portland Water District, said the district tests 19 swimming beaches around Sebago each week during the summer. Clements said Tassel Top was the only one on the lake that exceeded the recommended standard. Clements said high activity in beach water, including both beachgoers and waterfowl, can raise E. coli levels, and recommended guests avoid feeding wildlife and clean up after their pets. Advertisement Elevated bacteria advisories have been issued for nine beaches due to bacteria levels being above the EPA recommended threshold of 104 parts per billion. The beaches are still open, but people are cautioned to swim at their own risk, according to the [Maine Healthy Beaches Portal](https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/healthy_beaches/public/status-table.html). Broad Cove Reserve in Cumberland, City Park and Heritage Park in Belfast, East End Beach in Portland, Ferry Beach in Scarborough, Laite Beach in Camden, Lincolnville Beach in Lincolnville, Mackerel Cove in Harpswell and Riverside in Ogunquit are also under the advisories. People can get ill from ingesting contaminated water or getting it in their eyes, ears, nose or through an open wound, according to the [Maine Department of Environmental Protection](https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/beaches/monitoring.html). Children swimming in diapers, improper cleaning after using the bathroom, vomiting or fecal accidents in water, waste from wildlife or dogs, stormwater runoff, and malfunctioning septic systems or sewage treatment plans can also cause contamination. Two beaches — Colony Beach and Goose Rocks Main Beach in Kennebunkport — are under a precautionary rainfall advisory due to heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [maine beaches](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-beaches/), [water pollution](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/water-pollution/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rory-sweeting) [Rory SweetingStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rory-sweeting) Rory, an experienced reporter from western Massachusetts, joined the Maine Trust for Local News in October 2024. He is a community reporter for Windham, Raymond, Casco, Bridgton, Naples, Standish, Gray,. [More by Rory Sweeting](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rory-sweeting) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/salome-clotreaux) [Salomé CloteauxStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/salome-clotreaux) Salomé Cloteaux is a community reporter covering Scarborough and Westbrook. She was born in France but lived in Indiana for most of her life before moving to Portland in November 2025. Salomé has a degree. [More by Salomé Cloteaux](https://www.pressherald.com/author/salome-clotreaux)