Advisory Issued for 4 Area Beaches

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 52 beaches within the county, including the Town of Islip beaches in Brightwaters, Bay Shore and Islip.

James L. Tomarken, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 52 beaches, including beaches located along the northern shoreline of Great South Bay, today due to the heavy rainfall that occurred yesterday and the additional rain that was forecasted for today.

The nearby beaches under advisory are Brightwaters Village Beach, Bayberry Beach & Tennis Club and Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore and Islip Beach in Islip.

West Islip Beach near the West Islip Marina is not on the list, as it has not opened for the season yet.

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

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 after the cessation of rainfall.  Unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hour period, the advisory will be rescinded at 7 p.m. Thursday.

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 their website here.