VIRGINIA BEACH — The Health Department here has issued swimming and wading advisories today for two sections:
- Chesapeake Beach/Lesner Bridge East Beach – From Mortons Road to Starfish Road
- Resort Area/Croatan Beach – From 8th Street to Aqua Lane
Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters., according to a news release from the city.
Signs will be posted on the beach between to alert the public of the swimming and wading advisories. The signs will read:
WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice
Virginia Beach has conducted these tests since the mid-1970s. Health officials will continue testing the site until the water quality meets the state water quality standards. When the sampling test results meet the standards, the signs will be removed, officials wrote in the news release.
While enterococci do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or wading in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness and skin, eye and respiratory infections.
Environmental health officials sample recreational beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May through September.
For information, contact Brad Delashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department, at 757-518-2727.
Norfolk’s advisory
Norfolk’s Department of Public Health has issued a swimming advisory for Captain’s Quarters Park at 800 Little Bay Avenue in Ocean View.
Water testing conducted Wednesday revealed enterococci bacteria levels at this site exceeding State Water Quality Standards, according to Norfolk city officials.
Signs have been posted to alert the public of the advisory. Health officials will continue testing the beach waters and will remove posted signs and notify the public when the bacteria levels decrease to meet state standards, according to a news release from the city.
For information, call the Norfolk Department of Public Health Environmental Health Division at 757-683-2712.
