Bacteria closes 2 beaches in Heckscher State Park and Bayville

Two Long Island beaches - one in Nassau and one in Suffolk - were closed to swimming Friday due to elevated bacteria levels, county and state officials said.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Friday afternoon swimming is currently prohibited at West Beach, Field Number 6 within Heckscher State Park in East Islip, because of high amounts of bacteria found in water quality test results.

"This prohibition is a precautionary step to assure protection of the health and safety of our swimmers," the agency said in a release, adding results from further water quality testing would be reviewed to determine when swimming could resume.

Earlier Friday, the Nassau County Department of Health said Center Island Sound in Bayville is closed to swimming because of elevated bacteria, the source of which officials are investigating.

For recorded information on beach closings and openings in Nassau County, call 516-227-9700. Health department representatives can be reached 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays at 516-227-9717.