Tanner Park Beach in Copiague reopens to swimming, officials say

A beach in Suffolk County closed to swimming last week due to higher-than-acceptable bacteria levels has been reopened, county health officials said.

The closure of Tanner Park Beach in Copiague was lifted Sunday after "results of recent samples collected show the water quality to be within acceptable levels," the Suffolk health department said Monday.

The beach had been closed to swimming Aug. 17 because of bacteria levels exceeding state standards, officials said.

Swimming in such contaminated water "can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat," said Dr. James Tomarken, county health commissioner.

To learn more and stay up to date on affected beaches, residents can call the county's bathing beach hotline at 631-852-5822 or check gis2.suffolkcountyny.gov/bathingbeaches