Whale's Tail Fountain Shut Off Due To Sanitation Concerns

The whale’s tail fountain in Parade Plaza has been shut down, only two weeks after it was activated in a public ceremony, due to a concern that some people are using the site as a restroom.

City Manager Denise Rose said she was meeting with members of the today to discuss law enforcement at the site. She said Ledge Light Health District will also be testing the water quality every day.

The discussion at Monday’s City Council meeting took place after some residents expressed concerns that people were defecating or urinating at the fountain. Bill Morse, a member of the Board of Education, said children have been playing in the water streaming from the whale’s fins. He said the misuse of the fountain raises health concerns, especially since the water is recycled.

Keith Chapman, director of the Department of Public Works, said the water is recycled through a system which includes a 100-gallon tank and a chlorination process. He said Ledge Light Health District will determine whether the Whale's Tail is meant to be a fountain or public wading pool.

"We kind of have to reevaluate how we operate that fountain and whether we leave it on 24-7," said Chapman. "At this point, the fountain is turned off until we know what to do."

City Councilor Michael Buscetto III has questioned the use of Parade Plaza before, saying a city revitalization tour put on by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut returned to find a man urinating at the site and that he has heard of several people sleeping there during the evening. Buscetto said Monday that he has also heard of people showering at the fountain.

“People need to know what they’re in, so hopefully that will be rectified soon,” he said.

Buscetto said he was also worried about liability issues related to the plaza, such as people falling down the stairs or riding bikes down the stairs and through the fountain.

City Councilor Rob Pero said he wanted Rose to get reports on the water quality and any problems at the plaza. He said he didn’t want the incidents to cut off the use of the fountain by responsible people.

“I’ve seen a lot of good-spirited activity going on down there,” he said.

City Councilor Michael Passero said one possible mitigating addition would be to put a light on a timer at the plaza. Buscetto said a knee-high fence at the sculpture could solve some of the issues, such as bikes at the site. Mayor Martin Olsen said the city should interact with responders at the and for input on loitering issues.

The fountain was at the end of the Hope Week parade.