Three Suffolk beaches closed to bathing due to high bacteria levels

Suffolk health officials closed three beaches to bathing Friday after tests revealed high bacteria levels.

Asharoken Beach and Steers Beach in Northport and Huntington Beach Community Association Beach in Centerport had bacteria levels above New York State standards, according to officials.

Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gregson Pigott said in a release that bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

The beaches will reopen when further testing reveals that the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels, officials said.

On Thursday, health officials in Nassau and Suffolk had advised against swimming at 81 beaches across the two counties following heavy rainfall Wednesday evening. Officials were concerned that bacteria levels at those beaches might exceed state standards, because those water bodies are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding lands or adjacent streams and rivers. Since those beaches are located in enclosed areas, they experience limited tidal flushing, a health department statement said.

By Friday morning, those advisories had been lifted but by the afternoon, Suffolk officials issued the new warning related to the beaches in Northport and Centerport.

Suffolk officials said residents can call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 or contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 for the latest information on affected beaches.