LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Scientists hope a high-tech buoy floating in New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee will help them determine whether the water is safe for swimming.
Currently, the state evaluates swimming conditions at more than 160 beaches by collecting water samples and testing them for E. coli bacteria. But the tests take at least 24 hours to process, meaning beachgoers can be exposed to high levels of bacteria, or swimming restrictions could remain in place longer than necessary.
Earlier this month, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and state health and environmental officials deployed the special buoy and weather station at Weirs Beach. It provides real-time data about temperature, oxygen levels and other conditions that may help predict when bacteria levels are too high.
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