Health advisory for 47 Suffolk beaches

By JOSEPH MALLIAjoseph.mallia@newsday.comJuly 16, 2012

Bacterial runoff from heavy rainfall prompted Suffolk health officials to issue an advisory Monday against swimming at 47 beaches. The officials recommended that bathers keep out of the water at least until Tuesday morning.

"The advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards, resulting from the heavy rain that occurred last night," the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said.

The beaches are subject to heavy stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds and waterways, or are located in enclosed bays with limited tidal flushing, officials said.

"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 (at least a 24-hour period) after the cessation of rainfall," the advisory said.

"The advisory will be rescinded at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning ... unless sampling done by the department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hour period," the Suffolk health alert said.

The county offers more information on beach closings on its hotline, at 631-852-5822, or at suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

Here are the 47 affected beaches:

Asharoken Beach

Bay Hills Beach Association, Huntington Bay

Bayberry Cove Beach, Setauket-East Setauket

Baycrest Association Beach, Huntington Bay

Bayview Beach, Setauket-East Setauket

Beech Road Beach, Rocky Point

Broadway Beach, Rocky Point

Callahans Beach, Smithtown

Centerport Beach

Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club Beach