High Bacteria Levels Close 7 Suffolk County Beaches: SC Health Dept.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Seven beaches in Suffolk County have been closed for swimming after heavy rains, the Suffolk County Health Department announced on Thursday.

Amityville Beach, Lindenhurst's Venetian Shores Beach, Centerport's Huntington Beach Community Association, Knollwood Beach and Fleets Cove Beach in Huntington, Valley Grove Beach in Eatons Neck and Ronkonkoma Beach are all closed to bathing due to the finding of bacteria at levels that exceed acceptable criteria, officials said.

Tanner Park Beach in Copiague and Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore remain closed.

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 will reopen affected beaches when further testing reveals that the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels.

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."