Suffolk Health Dept. Issues Bathing Advisory at Four Town Beaches

The Suffolk advisory against bathing at all Town beaches following the caused by heavy rainfall on Tuesday, September 3rd.

The SCDHS issued the advisory, which totaled 19 beaches across Suffolk County, for Amityville Village Beach in Amityville, Copiague Harbor in Copiague, Tanner Park Beach in Copiague and Venetian Shores in Lindenhurst due to the possibility of elevated bacterial levels from stormwater run-off.

The SCDHS said it recommends bathing and other water activity be suspended in these areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles (at least a 24-hour period) after the cessation of rainfall.

The town beaches technically closed on September 2, but remain open to the public with no lifeguards on duty.

Unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers following the two tidal periods, this advisory will be lifted on Wednesday, September 4 at 8 p.m.

"The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards resulting from the heavy rain that occurred today will impact these areas," the SCDHS said in a release.

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