Swimming, Water Off Limits at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater

EDGEWATER, MD — High levels of bacteria in the water have placed the beach at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater off limits, say county health officials.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has issued an advisory to avoid swimming and other direct water contact at Camp Wabanna on the Rhode River due to high bacteria levels found in water samples collected on Aug. 15 and Aug. 17. The Camp Wabanna beach water is tested on a weekly schedule.

The advisory will remain in effect until water samples show bacteria levels to be acceptable according to EPA standards, said the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Officials have posted advisory signs at the beach.

Anyone who comes in contact with the water should wash well with soap and warm water immediately. Clothing should also be washed.

Glen Isle on the South River in Riva and Saunders Point on the Chesapeake Bay in Mayo had high bacteria levels from water samples collected on Aug. 17, and the beaches are currently being resampled. An advisory is issued when there have been two consecutive water sample results with high bacteria levels.

Factors such as rainfall, waterfowl, water temperature and tidal action, can cause high bacteria readings.

For updates on the status of the advisory and water sample results, visit www.aahealth.org, www.aahealth.org/beach or call the Water Quality Line at 410-222-7999.