Bacteria advisory at 20 Brookhaven beaches

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 20 Brookhaven Town beaches until at least Saturday afternoon because of possible excessive levels of bacteria.

Officials said Friday rainfall combined with stormwater runoff from surrounding watersheds, and their proximity to enclosed embayments, could have contaminated the beaches.

Health officials recommend water contact be suspended until 4 p.m. Saturday unless sampling conducted by the department finds elevated bacterial numbers.

Sound Beach POA West, Tides, Beech Road, Broadway, Friendship Drive, Shoreham Village, Shoreham, Stony Brook and Stony Brook Yacht Club beaches are listed on the advisory.

Others beaches on the list are: Shoreham Shore Club, Miller Place Park, Scotts, Woodhull Landing POA, Bayberry Cove, Bayview, Grantland, Indian Field, Little Bay, Soundview Beach Association and Terraces on the Sound.

Copiague Harbor Beach in Copiague remains closed to bathing due to high levels of bacteria, health officials said.

For more information, call the bathing beach hotline at 631-852-5822 or contact the Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760.