The Virginia Beach Health Department has lifted the swimming and wading advisories that were issued Wednesday along the Bay from Mortons Road to Starfish Road and along the Oceanfront from 8th Street to Aqua Lane.
“After re-sampling showed that the bacteria level in the water was once again safe for swimming and wading, the advisories were lifted and signs at both locations that had previously alerted the public of the advisory have now been removed,” officials wrote in a news release.
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.
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, call Brad Delashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department, at 757-518-2727.
Norfolk
The Norfolk Department of Public Health has lifted the Swimming Advisory posted Wednesday for Captain’s Quarters Park in Ocean View. Re-sampling of the water at that location has determined that levels of enterococci organisms now fall within State Water Quality Standards. All posted advisory signs have been removed.
For information, call the Environmental Health Division, Norfolk Department of Public Health, at 757-683-2712.
