Two New York City beaches are currently under swimming advisories because of water quality concerns, according to the NYC Department of Health.
(Note: Beach conditions can change as the Health Department collects new water samples. Residents should check the city's Beach Water Quality dashboard for the latest status before heading to the beach.)
- Schuyler Hill Civic Association in the Bronx
- South Beach in Staten Island
A water quality advisory means swimming and wading are not recommended, but the beach remains open. Advisories can be issued when bacteria levels are elevated or because of other concerns, including rainfall, stormwater runoff, sewage overflows or debris.
Beach conditions can change as the Health Department collects new water samples. Residents should check the city's Beach Water Quality dashboard for the latest
status before heading to the beach.
How does New York City monitor beach water quality?
The NYC Health Department monitors beach water quality throughout the swimming season. Beginning about a month before beach season, the department collects weekly water samples and visually inspects beaches for pollution, debris, sewage and other sanitary concerns.
Officials also monitor rainfall and storms because heavy rain can temporarily affect water quality through stormwater runoff and sewer overflows.
Water quality results are evaluated against standards established by the NYC Health Code and New York state regulations to determine whether a beach is open, under an advisory or closed.
What is the difference between a beach advisory and closure?
A beach advisory means swimming and wading are not recommended because water quality or other conditions may pose a health risk. The beach itself remains open.
A beach closure means swimming and wading are prohibited because of a public health or safety concern. Beaches can be closed when water quality does not meet established standards, after sewage or wastewater discharges, or because of other health and safety hazards.
The Health Department reopens beaches once conditions improve and officials determine they are safe for swimming.
Four New York City-area beaches are under a swimming advisory due to water quality concerns, according to the New York City Department of Health.
The New York City Department of Health monitors water quality, weather conditions and environmental hazards at over 20 city beaches throughout the swimming season, which lasts from June to September
How does New York City monitor beach water quality?
Health officials sample and monitor each city beach once or twice a week during the swimming season to identify possible pollution sources and to provide information about each beach's conditions.
Water quality is measured in "most probable number" per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL), a potential estimate of how much bacteria is present in a water sample.
According to the New York State Department of Health, testing for enterococci and E. coli bacteria helps determine whether water may be contaminated by fecal pollution.
State standards set the maximum allowable concentration for a single sample at:
- 104 enterococci per 100 mL in marine water
- 61 enterococci per 100 mL in freshwater
- 235 E. coli per 100 mL in freshwater
What affects beach water quality?
Water samples are tested for contaminants and conditions that can affect public health, including:
- Bacteria
- Floatable debris
- Animal waste
- Medical or infectious waste
- Toxic contaminants
- Petroleum products
- Sewage or wastewater discharges, particularly after heavy rainfall
Beach advisory vs. beach closure
A beach advisory means bacteria levels are elevated and swimming or wading is not recommended, but the beach remains open.
A beach may be closed to swimming and wading when:
- Environmental conditions, such as severe weather, create a public safety risk
- Water quality fails to meet health standards
- A high number of illnesses or injury complaints are reported
- Hazardous amounts of debris, infectious waste, toxic contaminants or petroleum products are present
- Sewage or wastewater discharges affect water quality
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 2 NYC beaches under swimming advisories due to water quality concerns
