News Flash

June 19, 2019 – The Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for the southern end of Buckroe Beach due to levels of bacteria levels that exceed the state water quality standards for swimming.

The affected area runs from the fishing pier to Point Comfort Avenue. An advisory doesn’t close the water to swimmers — it just warns you that you face elevated risk. The risk is especially elevated for children, who are more likely to swallow the water, or those who have open wounds or weakened immune systems.

Water samples are sent to labs to detect Enterococci in salt water. While these organisms themselves do not cause illness, their presence is an indicator that fecal contamination and other harder-to-detect bacteria are present. Environmental Protection Agency standard that sets the unacceptable level at the point where people show a greater incidence of illness.

Health officials collected additional samples on Wednesday and results should be available on Thursday. Signs will be removed and notifications sent when the bacteria levels return to levels that meet the state water quality standards.

When the city is notified of contaminated water, officials begin looking for a cause. Most commonly, bacteria levels can increase after a major storm, when sewer or wastewater systems could become overwhelmed and have overflows. Bacteria also could be caused by a leak in one of the systems.

Officials will continue to test the water and the public will be notified when the advisory is lifted.

To read more about the water testing program, go to https://hampton.gov/3520/Beach-water-testing