LOCK HAVEN – Planning on a dip in the river? You will probably want to rethink that.

The city tests the water for bacteria levels every week and found a high level of E. coli (fecal coliform) in the water sample from June 13. Since that finding, the public beach has been closed and samples are being taken daily.

The beach remains closed today, but City Recreation Director Jack Bailey said the levels in the most recent test were encouraging. It is possible the beach could be re-opened Friday, he said.

Bailey collects a water sample in the morning and takes it to a lab in Williamsport. The testing process takes 22 hours. Once the bacteria has subsided to low levels, according to testing results, the state Department of Environmental Protection has the final decision on when the beach may open again.