Advisory Issued Against Bathing at 11 Suffolk County Beaches Due to Heavy Rainfall

August 16, 2012         

Advisory Issued Against Bathing at 11 Suffolk County Beaches Due to Heavy Rainfall

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at the 11 beaches listed below.  The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards, resulting from yesterday’s 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 hr. period) after the cessation of rainfall.  Unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hr period, this advisory will be lifted at 3PM today, Thursday, 8/16/12.

Tanner Park Beach in Copiague and Peconic Dunes Camp Beach on Great Pond in Peconic and Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore 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”.

11 Beaches Included in Bathing Advisory of 8/16/12