Tag: beach monitoring

Norfolk Department of Public Health Launches 2026 Beach Monitoring Season

Media Contact: Kathy Lamm
Kathy.Lamm@vdh.virginia.gov, 757-236-0529
May 20, 2026

Norfolk Department of Public Health Launches 2026 Beach Monitoring Season

NORFOLK, Va — The Norfolk Department of Public Health is officially starting its 2026 beach water testing season just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

To keep swimmers safe all summer long, health experts will collect weekly water samples from 10 different spots along Ocean View beaches. Testing will happen every Monday morning, and the lab will share the results by Tuesday afternoon. Weekly testing runs through Labor Day.

What Are They Testing For?

Laboratory personnel test the water for a type of bacteria called enterococci.

  • The Risk: While these specific bacteria don’t usually make you sick on their own, finding them in the water is a warning sign.
  • The Danger: High levels of these bacteria mean there is a higher chance that other harmful germs are in the water, which can cause skin rashes or stomach bugs.

Where to Find the Results

If a water sample fails to meet state or federal safety standards, the city will immediately issue a swimming advisory for that specific part of the beach.

You will know a beach has a warning if you see:

  • Physical warning signs posted right on the beach.
  • Local news updates and press releases.
  • Updates on the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website.

Stay Informed: Before you head out to the sand, you can check the latest safety maps and weekly test results by visiting the official VDH Beach Monitoring webpage or checking Norfolk’s local public health updates.

See How It Works

If you want to see exactly how health departments collect and test these water samples in the lab, check out this short video: What is Beach Monitoring.

 

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The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Summer Water Safety Tips

May 19, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov.

 The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Summer Water Safety Tips
Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is May 18-24

WARRENTON, Va. — As summer gets ready to start, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is urging families to make water safety part of every day. Drowning happens fast and quietly, and it remains a leading cause of death for young children. But with simple steps, most drownings can be prevented.

“Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is a great reminder that a fun day in the water should also be a safe one said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “We encourage families to practice water safety, supervise children closely, and take simple precautions to prevent drowning, injuries, and recreational water illnesses throughout the summer season.” 

From 2020 to 2024, 473 Virginians died from drowning, and more than half of those deaths happened in natural waters like rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Drownings can happen anywhere and children are especially at risk. Last year, the Virginia Department of Health reported a six-year high of 12 pool drownings in children 0 to 5 years old.

Drowning Prevention Tips:

  • Make sure kids and adults have basic swimming and water safety skills.
  • Actively supervise children in or near water. Designate a responsible adult to be the water watcher and watch the kids in the water without distractions. It’s easy to get pulled away by conversation or a quick glance at a screen.
  • Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy. If something happens, having a friend with you could save your life.
  • Use U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets when needed.
  • Know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and how to perform CPR.
  • Don’t drink and swim. Alcohol slows your reactions and can make you make bad decisions. Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking.

Drowning prevention is important but swimming can also lead to illness from germs in the water and injuries from slips, falls, or unsafe conditions.

Swimming Safety Tips

  • Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source or a pool.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Avoid swimming in a pool if you can’t see the bottom. Cloudy water is a serious safety hazard.
  • Avoid swimming in natural water if the water has a green film, foul odor, dead or dying fish, or is discolored.
  • Avoid diving or jumping in creeks and ponds you don’t know. Hidden rocks and snags can injure you.
  • Avoid swimming if you are ill, vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Check diapers often and take bathroom breaks every hour.
  • Cover cuts or wounds with waterproof bandages. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds causing more serious illness.
  • Avoid swimming in natural waters for three days after rain. Runoff can carry germs into the water.
  • Never run near water. The area can be slippery.
  • Shower before and after swimming.
  • Watch for strong currents and riptides at the beach. Check your local Beach Map for water quality updates before you go.

Make water safety a habit. Take the safe swimming pledge and help protect your family and community.

For more safety tips, please visit swimhealthyva.com.

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Swimming Advisories Issued for Ocean View Beaches

September 4, 2024    
Media Contact: Marcia Snyder, Norfolk Department of Public Health, Marcia.Snyder@vdh.virginia.gov, 757-406-0282

Swimming Advisories Issued for Ocean View Beaches

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Department of Public Health has issued Swimming Advisories for five Ocean View Beaches: 5th Bay, North Community Beach, Ocean View Park, 10th View, and 13th View.  Water testing conducted yesterday revealed enterococci bacteria levels at these sites exceeding State Water Quality Standards. Signs have been posted to alert the public of these advisories. Health officials are retesting beach water and will remove posted signs and notify the public when the bacteria levels decrease to meet state standards.

The Environmental Health Division of the Norfolk Department of Public Health samples Ocean View beach water on a weekly basis, during the swimming season, from late-May through mid-September. Enterococci bacteria are a group of indicator organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination in recreational waters.

While enterococci bacteria do not generally cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the state standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.

For further information, call the Environmental Health Division, Norfolk Department of Public Health, at 757-683-2712.  For information about the Virginia Department of Health’s Beach Monitoring Program, current swimming advisory maps, and helpful tips about recreational water safety, please visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/beach-monitoring/

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Swimming Advisories Lifted for All Ocean View Beaches in Norfolk

September 5, 2024  
Media Contact: Marcia Snyder, Norfolk Health Department, Marcia.Snyder@vdh.virginia.gov , 757-406-0282

Swimming Advisories Lifted for All Ocean View Beaches in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Department of Public Health has now lifted all five Swimming Advisories posted on Wednesday, September 4.   Re-sampling of the water at these locations has determined that levels of enterococci organisms are within State Water Quality Standards. All posted advisory signs are being removed from these locations.

For further information, call the Environmental Health Division, Norfolk Department of Public Health, at 757-683-2712.  For information about the Virginia Department of Health’s Beach Monitoring Program, current swimming advisory maps, and helpful tips about recreational water safety, please visit:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/beach-monitoring/

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Swimming Advisory Lifted for Buckroe Beach South, Salt Ponds

August 8, 2024
Media Contact:  Tes La Dieu, Public Information Officer, 757-594-7411 or taylor.ladieu@vdh.virginia.gov

Swimming Advisory Lifted for Buckroe Beach South, Salt Ponds
Swimming Advisory Still in Place for Buckroe Middle

HAMPTON, Va. — The Hampton Health District received results from sampling completed on Wednesday, August 7.  These results indicate that bacteria levels in the water at Buckroe Beach South and Salt Ponds meet the state water quality standards for recreational waters.  The swimming advisory is no longer in effect at these locations.

The sample taken from Buckroe Beach Middle did not meet state water quality standards for recreational waters. The swimming advisory is still in effect. Resampling was conducted Thursday, August 8, and the results of that testing will be read on Friday, August 9.

Environmental health officials sample Buckroe North, Buckroe South, Buckroe Middle, Fort Monroe, and Salt Ponds public beaches on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May to September.

Residents are reminded to observe the following guidelines as they enjoy the summer swimming season:

  • Do not swim in water that looks stagnant, muddy, or smells unpleasant.
  • Avoid swallowing river, stream, lakes, or other recreational water.
  • Prevent direct contact between broken skin and recreational water.
  • Avoid swimming in natural water bodies (rivers, streams, lakes, etc.) for several days after a heavy rainfall.

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Swimming Advisory Issued for Buckroe Beach South, Buckroe Beach Middle, and Salt Ponds

August 7, 2024
Media Contact:  Tes La Dieu, Public Information Officer, 757-594-7411, taylor.ladieu@vdh.virginia.gov

Swimming Advisory Issued for Buckroe Beach South, Buckroe Beach Middle, and Salt Ponds

HAMPTON, Va. — The Hampton Health District has issued swimming advisories for Buckroe Beach South located at the end of South Resort Road by the James T. Wilson Fishing Pier, Buckroe Beach Middle located by the Buckroe Beach Park and pavilion, and Salt Ponds located at the end of North 1st Street in the City of Hampton. Samples collected on August 6, by the Hampton Health District showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the state water quality standard.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria routinely during the summer swimming season, using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters.

Signs are posted at the beaches alerting the public of the advisory. The signs read: “Warning swimmers – bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards, swimming not advised until further notice.” Recent heavy rainfall may influence the poor water quality currently seen in the beaches.

Additional samples were collected by health officials on Wednesday, August 7, and results should be available on Thursday, August 8. Officials will remove the signs and notify the public again when the bacteria levels decrease to levels that meet the state water quality standards.

Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters. While these organisms do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.

“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Mary Wainwright, Environmental Health manager of the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts. “Typically, an advisory of this nature is temporary and will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to a safe level.”

The Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts does not recommend swimming in waters during a tropical storm or for three days after heavy rainfall. Please be mindful of safe swim practices. Information can be found at www.SwimHealthyVa.com.

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