County Issues Advisory Against Bathing in West Islip Beach

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at West Islip Beach, in addition to 65 other beaches because of  the heavy rainfall that occurred yesterday and the additional rainfall in the forecast for today.

The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards, resulting from the heavy rain, according to a press release.

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 affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles, which is at least a 24 hour period.

Unless sampling done by the department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24 hour period, this advisory will be rescinded as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the hotline at (631) 852-5822, contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit their website.