Three state beaches closed for start of Labor Day weekend

Hartford (AP) — The state says three beaches are closed for the start of the long Labor Day weekend.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued a water quality report Saturday morning.

It says Kettletown beach in Southbury and Indian Well beach in Shelton are closed due to cyanobacteria.

Commonly known as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause headaches, fever, pains and nausea. It can be fatal for fish and dogs.

Wharton Brook in Wallingford is closed due to storm damage.

The department says all other beaches remain open for the holiday weekend.

It says the water quality report is the final report of the 2018 beach season.

Providence (AP) — Health officials say customers of five public water systems serving parts of Narragansett and South Kingstown should boil their water because E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply.

The state health department said Friday it was found during routine sampling by Suez Water, which sells water to the other local systems. About 38,000 residents are impacted. An online map shows the affected areas. There’s also a list of the streets.

Water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes should be boiled for at least 1 minute, or use bottled water. The department says young children shouldn’t be bathed in this water because they may swallow it.

E. coli can signal the presence of fecal matter.

The advisory remains in effect until satisfactory bacteria results are obtained.