Health officials advise no bathing at 65 Long Island beaches due to bacteria buildup from rain
Swimming was prohibited at the North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington on Tuesday due to a high bacterial count in the water. Officials advised people not to swim in more than 60 beaches on Long Island Tuesday. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Health officials are advising Long Islanders not to swim at 65 Long Island beaches due to heavy rainfall over the weekend.
Nassau and Suffolk county health departments issued the advisories after finding bacteria levels at the beaches exceed New York State standards.
The beaches are in areas heavily affected by stormwater runoff from surrounding watersheds or adjacent tributaries, and because of their location in enclosed areas, they have limited tidal flushing, a health department statement said.
Suffolk County said 63 beaches have high bacteria levels and swimming is not recommended until Wednesday at 8 a.m., including in these towns: 23 in Huntington, 21 in Brookhaven, three in Babylon, 10 in Islip, five in Smithtown and one in East Hampton.
Officials also recommended no swimming at Laurel Hollow Beach in Laurel Hollow and North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington until Wednesday at 6 a.m.
Health officials recommend 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 rain has ended.
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