{"id":32,"date":"2019-11-08T14:21:07","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T19:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/waterborne-hazards-control\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2025-06-26T12:35:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T16:35:35","slug":"beach-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/waterborne-hazards-control\/beach-monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach Monitoring"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t

Please click on the\u00a0Beach Map<\/a> for the current status of Virginia's public coastal beaches.<\/p>\n

Bacteria levels in beach water are monitored at 49 public beaches in Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean during the swimming season (May-September). Water samples are collected weekly by Local Health Departments and analyzed by local laboratories for enterococci bacteria. If bacteria levels exceed Virginia\u2019s Beach Action Value of 104 MPN\/100 mL of water, a swimming advisory is issued (MPN=most probable number, a unit for bacteria measurement).<\/p>\n

Enterococci bacteria serve as an indicator for fecal contamination in salt and brackish waters. These organisms are not harmful themselves but indicate that other potentially harmful organisms may be present. High levels of enterococci bacteria indicate an increased health risk to recreational water users. The most common recreational water illnesses are gastrointestinal and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. These illnesses result from swallowing water contaminated by disease-causing organisms. Contact with contaminated water can also cause upper respiratory (ear, nose and throat), and wound infections. Young children, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to recreational water illnesses.<\/p>\n

You can help to protect your health while swimming at the beach by taking these simple steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n