Bathing Advisory Issued for Nearly a Dozen Town Beaches

A bathing advisory involving nearly a dozen beaches in Brookhaven and Islip towns has been issued by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services due to heavy rainfall impact and potential for high bacterial levels.

Here is the list of beaches in Patch communities:

Bayport Beach

Corey Beach

Lake Ronkonkoma - Islip Town Beach

The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards, resulting from yesterday’s heavy rain, will impact these areas.

Unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hr period, this advisory will be lifted at 3 p.m. Thursday, 8/16/12.

The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds and/or adjacent tributaries, and, because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing.

The Department recommends that bathing and other water contact be suspended in the areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles (at least a 24 hr. period) after the cessation of rainfall.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach hotline at 852-5822, contact the department's Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit the website link under “Our Mission,” “Our Environment,” click “Beaches.”