Eleven New York City-area beaches are under a swimming advisory due to water quality concerns, according to the New York City Department of Health.
The New York City Department of Health monitors water quality, weather conditions and environmental hazards at over 20 city beaches throughout the swimming season, which lasts from June to September.
Among those with the highest bacteria levels this week are two private swimming beaches in the Bronx – Schuyler Hill Civic Association and Whitestone Booster Civic Association.
Which beaches are under advisory?
According to authorities, the following eleven New York City beaches are operating under a water quality 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 to identify possible pollution sources and to provide information about each beach’s conditions.
Water quality is measured in “most probable number” per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL), a potential estimate of how much bacteria is 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:
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:
Other 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, five New York state park swimming beaches are listed as closed or under an advisory because of water quality issues, according to the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
In Westchester County, the following beaches have been closed since Wednesday, July 22 because of associated rainfall risks to water quality.
Mamaroneck
Rye
New Rochelle
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 11 NYC-area beaches under swimming advisory for water quality concerns
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
