Advisory Issued Against Bathing at 67 Suffolk County Beaches Due to Heavy Rainfall

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 67 beaches (listed below). The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards resulting from the heavy rain that occurred yesterday 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 cessation of rainfall.  Unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hour period, this advisory will be lifted at 6 a.m. Sunday, August 12, 2012. 

Tanner Park Beach in Copiague and Peconic Dunes Camp Beach on Great Pond in Peconic remain closed to bathing.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 852-5822, contact the Department’s Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit the website link: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health and under “Our Mission,” “Our Environment,” click “Beaches.”