Bacteria Scare Closes 61 Long Island Beaches: SC Health Dept.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Sixty-one beaches on Long Island are closed for swimming after the Suffolk County Health Department issued an advisory on Wednesday.

Because the beaches are located in parts of Long Island heavily impacted by stormwater runoff, the health department closed the beaches from swimming due to potentially high levels of bacteria in the water, officials said.

Health officials recommend suspending bathing and contact with water in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles in at least a 24-hour period after the rain has ended.

Officials expect to open the beaches Thursday, July 8, at 6 a.m. unless sampling reveals elevated levels of bacteria persisting beyond the 24-hour period.

According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gregson Pigott, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

Officials said anyone interested in the latest information on affected beaches may call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 or visit suffolkcountyny.gov/health and search “Beach Monitoring Program."

Beaches closed for swimming include: