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Parks Department to Stop Chlorinating Kiwanis Pond; New Monitoring Protocols Planned
Summary
Parks staff announced Kiwanis Park pond will not be treated with chlorine this summer; the department will increase water‑quality testing (weekly routine testing plus extra tests after rainfall of 0.5 inches or more) and will close the pond if Connecticut Department of Public Health standards are exceeded.
Parks staff reported a policy change for Kiwanis Park: the pond will not be treated with chlorine during the coming summer season. Staff framed the decision as balancing environmental concerns with public health and said the department will continue weekly water‑quality testing and institute additional testing whenever rainfall reaches 0.5 inches or more.
The department explained operational steps to maintain water quality: a spring cleanup pumping to remove debris and silt, adding fresh sand where needed, and using a 24‑hour well to keep circulation. Staff said that if test results exceed Connecticut Department of Public Health standards, the pond will be temporarily closed and follow‑up testing will increase (daily) until water quality is restored. Communications about closures and test results will be posted to the town website, the field‑closure hotline, social media and to season‑pass holders by email.
Staff also said the Kiwanis master plan is on hold pending data from the new testing regimen and that a press release explaining the change should be issued by the end of the week. The department will continue geese‑management efforts to reduce fecal loading risks.
