One New York City-area beach is under a swimming advisory because of water quality concerns, according to city health officials.
The New York City Department of Health monitors water quality, weather conditions and environmental hazards at 17 city beaches throughout the swimming season.
Which beach is under advisory?
The Schuyler Hill Civic Association beach, a private beach club in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, is currently operating under a water quality advisory.
According to the health department, a water sample collected May 27 measured 174 enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. That level exceeds city and state water quality standards and prompted the advisory.
How does New York City monitor beach water quality?
Health officials sample and monitor each city beach once or twice a week during the swimming season.
Monitoring helps identify potential pollution sources, while water sampling provides current information about beach conditions.
Water quality is measured in “most probable number” per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL), an estimate of the amount of bacteria present in a water sample.
According to the New York State Department of Health, testing for enterococci and E. coli bacteria helps determine whether water may be contaminated by fecal pollution.
State standards set the maximum allowable concentration for a single sample at:
E. coli is not used to assess marine water quality.
What affects beach water quality?
Water samples are tested for contaminants and conditions that can affect public health, including:
Beach advisory vs. beach closure
A beach advisory means bacteria levels are elevated and swimming or wading is not recommended, but the beach remains open.
A beach may be closed to swimming and wading when:
State park beaches across New York
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also monitors water quality at the state’s 67 public swimming beaches.
During the beach season, water is tested regularly for bacteria and other conditions that could affect public health. Closures and advisories are posted online throughout the summer.
Currently, no state park swimming beaches are listed as closed because of water quality issues. However, many state-operated beaches have not yet opened for the season. Roughly one-third are open, with most others expected to welcome swimmers later in June.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NYC health officials issue water quality advisory for Bronx beach. Here’s why
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
