Swimming has been prohibited at numerous beaches in various Northeastern states due to elevated levels of water bacteria.
Public health officials have closed multiple beaches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island due to hazardous water conditions. According to the department, over 60 beaches in Massachusetts were closed due to the elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water.
“When the water quality is unsafe. The beach is required to be ‘posted’ with a sign that indicates swimming is unsafe and may cause illness,” the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s website said.
The increased levels of waste found in the water may be due to the heavy rainfall from recent storms. Officials have identified that substantial amounts of water can flow over the land and carry fecal waste to the beaches. Furthermore, this excessive water runoff can result in sewage systems overflowing, leading to untreated sewage entering nearby bodies of water.
“Water from rain or snowmelt can cause certain types of sewers to overflow if their capacity is exceeded,” the EPA states on its website. “Discharges from CSOs and SSOs contain a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater and storm water, and have resulted in beach closings.”
According to the EPA, Rhode Island officials have been conducting tests to measure the levels of enterococci bacteria. Within the past month, eight Rhode Island beaches have been closed due to the presence of these bacteria. As of Monday, three beaches in Rhode Island are still closed. The state’s Department of Health has announced its intention to continue monitoring all beaches until Labor Day.
