Personalized Forecasts
A.M. Planner
Home & Garden
Health
Miscellaneous
New York, NY
Local Weather
My Recent Locations
-
New York, NY
76° RealFeel® 82° -
Miami, FL
86° RealFeel® 93° -
Los Angeles, CA
86° RealFeel® 96°
What does it mean when a beach is closed due to water quality?
By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather staff writer
Share this article:
It’s not unusual for beaches to be put under advisory or closed for a number of reasons during the summer months.
Sometimes, however, this occurs due to water quality issues which make the water unsafe for swimmers.
Though a closed beach can put a real damper on your vacation, it’s often done as a result of unsafe levels of enterococci and E. coli, otherwise known as fecal bacteria.
Clear skies are seen in Manhattan Beach, California. (AP Photo/John Antczak)
In mid-June, one-third of New Jersey’s beaches were at risk of closing due to unsafe levels of human and animal fecal bacteria in the water.
In the whole of 2017, the state faced 28 closures due to elevated levels.
This bacteria can fluctuate in the ocean due to sewage discharges, failing septic systems, storm water runoff and pet and agricultural waste among other factors.
RELATED:
Here's how many people are planning to hit the road for 4th of July
4 summer beach hazards that can seriously harm or kill you
5 hidden hazards of summertime swimming
How to avoid contracting swimmer’s ear after a day in the water
Public pools and hot tubs may pose serious health hazards to your family, CDC says
While it is definitely enough to turn your stomach, is it significant enough to cause harm?
According to the New York State Department of Health, “If the reason [for a beach being closed or under advisory] is water quality related, it means that the results of water samples or other information, such as rainfall or algae, indicate that there is likely an increased risk of contracting illness through swimming.”
They added, “Water pollution caused by fecal contamination is a public health concern due to the risk of swallowing or coming in contact with disease causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.”
According to the Department of Environmental Protection, contact with polluted water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, cough, runny nose, sneezing, eye and ear symptoms, skin rash and flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
Some locations are more susceptible to this type of contamination than others.
Typically, the more susceptible a beach is to pollution, the more frequently it is monitored.
You can check the latest water quality report at your beach by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency website.
For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready.
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
More Weather News
-
Deadly heat wave to grip Japan early this week
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 5:07:05 PM EDT
A deadly heat wave is expected to continue early this week across Japan.
-
Limited relief to come to sweltering south-central US early this week
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 4:45:08 PM EDT
The intense record heat baking the south-central United States is expected to get trimmed back early this week, but a sweep of refreshing air is not on the horizon.
-
Rounds of rainfall to escalate flood concerns in eastern US this week
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 4:57:49 PM EDT
This weekend’s rainstorm was only the start of an abnormally wet pattern that will elevate the flood risk in the eastern United States into the end of the month.
-
Rain delays start of Sunday's NASCAR race in New Hampshire
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 4:57:26 PM EDT
Despite NASCAR moving up the start time of the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, rain has hung on and delayed the race at Loudon, New Hampshire.
-
Southeastern US remains at risk for severe weather into Sunday evening
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 4:05:21 PM EDT
Yet another round of severe weather is threatening the southeastern United States to close out this weekend.
-
Heat wave to have firm grip on northwestern US into end of July
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 5:02:03 PM EDT
The remainder of July will be dominated by a resurgence of heat across the northwestern United States.
-
Monsoon downpours to heighten flood threat across eastern, northern India this week
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 10:37:00 AM EDT
An uptick in monsoon rainfall is expected to heighten the flood threat across eastern and northern India this week.
-
Ampil to take aim at eastern China
Weather News - July 22, 2018, 3:25:01 PM EDT
Ampil will unleash gusty winds and heavy rainfall across eastern China into Monday.
TRENDING NOW
Experts explain why summer is the peak for lightning fatalities
A lightning strike can result in a cardiac arrest and death, and the most lightning strikes occur during warm summer months when people are outside enjoying the weather.
Read Story
These places on Earth are home to the world's oldest, healthiest people
In select regions of the world, people can live long enough to make some wonder if these countries have discovered the heavily sought-after fountain of youth.
Read Story
AccuWeather.com
Custom Search