Bacteria spike spurs closure of 10 Suffolk beaches to bathing, many others reopen

Seven beaches were closed Thursday to bathing in Suffolk, the county health department said, while three beaches that closed earlier this week remain closed.

Stony Brook Beach, Long Beach and Schubert’s Beach in Smithtown, Hobart Beach (lnlet) in Eatons Neck, and Crab Meadow Beach, Steers Beach, and Asharoken Beach in Northport were all closed Thursday, the health department said.

Tanner Park Beach in Copiague, and Tides Beach and Broadway Beach, both in Rocky Point, remain closed from earlier this week after a storm-related spike in bacteria.

"Beaches will reopen when further testing reveals that the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels," the health department said in a news release.

All other beaches that closed earlier this week have been cleared to reopen, the release said.

According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gregson Pigott, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 or contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 during normal business hours.