The task of overseeing an extensive Bathing Beach Monitoring Program was continued by Bethany Sadlowski, Environmental Project Assistant.  Supervising a temporary (seasonal) staff of four bathing Beach Sampler/Analysts, Ms. Sadlowski coordinated the sampling and reporting necessary to maintain compliance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code for Bathing Beaches, which was amended in 2010.  The new amendments required all towns and semi-public beach operators to permit their beaches and install permanent signs indicating dates of operation, contact information for the beach operator, the permit number, and sampling dates.  To assist towns and semi-public operators, the Department offered to permit semi-public beaches in towns that chose not to require a permitting fee. Furthermore, the Department designed and commissioned the production of 450 aluminum signs to meet the new regulatory requirements at the lowest possible cost.  The signs were utilized Cape-wide.

Routine monitoring of public and semi-public beaches was performed with follow-up assistance where violations of bacteria standards were observed. Over 4,300 samples were collected and processed during the summer bathing season from 243 marine and 113 freshwater beaches on Cape Cod.  Testing results were published real-time and daily on the Department website as well as the state Department of Public Health statewide beach website. During the off season, the Department maintains a yearly summary of information for all public beaches and issues annual reports to the respective town boards of health.  Recommendations for follow-up measures in order to reduce public health risks were rendered when necessary.