By SANDY McGEE

BURRILLVILLE — The state Department of Health recommended closing several beaches throughout the state, including the Echo Lake Campground Beach, on Tuesday due to the discovery of high bacteria levels in the water.

Closing the freshwater beach in Pascoag to swimmers was recommended Tuesday after health officials found high counts of Enterococci bacteria in water samples, according to the department’s Web site. Officials test water samples at least once a month at the Pascoag beach.
Enterococci can be caused by sewage in water, as well as contributed by waste from cats, dogs, ducks, sea birds, deer and rainwater run-off containing animal waste from farms and other wildlife, according to the department’s Web site.
In addition to enterococci, many other water-borne pathogens may also be present in untreated sewage. These pathogens can cause a wide range of health problems including ear, nose and throat problems, gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis and respiratory illness.
Officials will continue to monitor the water quality and recommend re-opening when the areas are safe for swimming, according to the department’s Web site. The Echo Lake Campground Beach was previously recommended by health officials to close on June 27 and to re-open on July 1.
Also recommended for closure on Tuesday was the Atlantic Beach in Middletown, Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick and the Dunes Club Beach in Narragansett.
According to the health department’s Web site, beach status may change on a daily basis. For more information about state beaches or to check a beach closing, visit www.health.ri.gov or call (401) 222-2751.