Suffolk Health Officials Issue Advisory Against Bathing at 63 Beaches Due to Heavy Rainfall

LongIsland.com

Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore remains closed.

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Photo by: diego_torres

Suffolk County, NY - August 18, 2017 - Suffolk County health officials issued an advisory against bathing at 63 beaches due to the heavy rainfall that occurred today. The advisory is based on the potential that bacteria in excess of New York State standards, resulting from the heavy rain, will impact these areas.
 
The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds and/or adjacent tributaries and because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing. 
 
The department recommends that bathing and other water contact be suspended in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles (at least a 24 hour period) after the rain has ended. This advisory will be lifted Sunday, August 20, at 5:00 a.m., unless water samples indicate that elevated levels of bacteria have persisted beyond the 24-hour period.
 
In addition, Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore remains closed as recent testing conducted by the health department revealed levels of bacteria in excess of state standards.
 
For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822, contact the Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 during normal business hours, OR visit Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ beach monitoring webpage.