Two Blocks of Oceanfront Closed Because of Bacteria Levels
By Richard Quinn, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Sep. 6–VIRGINIA BEACH
The city issued its first swimming advisory for the season Wednesday, urging people to stay out of the water between 62nd and 64th streets at the North End.
The warning was blamed on a high bacteria count, said Skip Scanlon, environmental health manager for the city. The advisory could be lifted as soon as today depending on what follow-up samples show.
The beach remains open, but signs were posted to ban swimming and wading.
The city takes water samples from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay coasts every Tuesday from May through September. Scanlon said a sample taken this week from the 63rd Street area was over the state standard for water quality.
He could not say how far over the limit it was.
“The laboratory called me and said it was over the standard,” Scanlon said. “That’s all I need.”
The bacteria is unrelated to an algae bloom reported at the North End in late August, Scanlon noted.
Last year, the city endured three swimming bans at the North End. All happened between May and August.
Scanlon said it can be difficult to trace the source of bacteria, which could come from animals or man-made contaminants dumped in the ocean.
“The coastal waters of Virginia are generally very clean,” said Dr. Venita Newby-Owens, director of the city’s health department. “On the occasions when waters fail to meet the standards, we need to protect public health by letting residents and visitors know.”
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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