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City of Portland Posts Advisory For East End Beach

PORTLAND, Maine - The City of Portland has issued an advisory for East End Beach following the results of a third water quality test, released Saturday afternoon.
According to city spokesperson, Jessica Grondin, the latest round of testing shows results of 110 cfu- colony forming units of bacteria-  per 100 milliliters of water.

The number is down from a high of 160 cfu reported on Thursday morning, following a 1-million gallon sewage release into Casco Bay, however, subsequent testing later on Thursday showed levels of just 10 cfu per 100 ml, allowing the Peaks to Portland Swim event to be held as scheduled on Saturday.

Grondin says rain and run-off can create spikes in bacterial levels.

For now the city is keeping East End Beach open, and will continue to monitor the water quality.

In Maine, 104 cfu per 100 ml is the standard threshhold for beach closure.