Tag: beach monitoring

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: 5^th Bay, North Community Beach, Ocean View Park, 10^th View, and 13^th 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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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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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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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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