New York State: Spraypark Not at Fault for ’05 Illnesses

New York officials say an upstate spraypark wasn’t at fault for the illnesses suffered by several thousand visitors in 2005.

The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports Tuesday that attorneys for the state have filed court documents asserting that the Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva followed industry standards for chlorine filtration at the park’s sprayground.

Lawyers for 2,500 park visitors claiming they were sickened by a parasite in spraypark’s recycled water are seeking unspecified damages in a class action lawsuit filed against the state.

The state health department said nearly 3,300 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported after the bacterial outbreak in August 2005. The park was closed and reopened the following August.

Crypto lives for long periods of time in water and can be passed on through human or animal feces.