MD Beach Report: Ocean City, Bay Beaches Open May 31 Weekend

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Beach weather is in the Maryland forecast for Friday and Saturday, and Maryland officials say all beaches in the state will be open for fun in the sun this weekend. No water quality problems were noted on May 31.

Maryland’s monitored beaches met water quality requirements and were open for swimming more than 97 percent of the time last summer, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Maryland Healthy Beaches 2019 Progress Report, released earlier this month. Beaches in neighborhoods, along the Chesapeake Bay and in Ocean City are all included in state monitoring and reports.

The report says for 14 straight years, Maryland beaches were open 96 percent of the time ore more. Heavy rains in 2018 increased the amount of stormwater runoff and likely was a
significant factor in more closings last year. The beaches at Ocean City have never been under a closure or advisory since the current monitoring program began in 2000, the report said.

Local health departments determine where, when and how often a beach is sampled; those departments collect water samples during the season. The samples are sent to the Maryland Department of Health laboratory for analysis. When fecal bacteria standards are exceeded, the results are reported to local health departments so that beach managers can issue an advisory

The forecast from the National Weather Service calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 84 on Friday. Saturday brings a 20 percent chance of rain after 3 p.m., but it will be sunny, with a high near 85. Beach conditions will be less favorable on Sunday with a 60 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3 p.m. Skies will be partly sunny on Sunday with a high near 83.

Residents and visitors can check the state's interactive beach map to find the current conditions at a favorite beach. Data is available during Maryland’s beach season, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Maryland Healthy Beaches app is available for Android (Google Play) and iPhone (App Store), so you can check conditions on your phone.

Water quality can deteriorate from pollution caused by runoff after storms, trash, debris, or even sewage. Other sources that can cause poor water quality at beaches include failing septic systems, boat waste discharges, and wastes originating from pets, wildlife and farm animals that may drain into the water after storms.

At crowded beaches water quality may even be affected by bathers themselves, the state says.

Disease-causing microorganisms (or pathogens) occurring naturally or associated with untreated sewage and animal waste can pose a health threat to swimmers. Because there are so many potential pathogens, the Maryland Beaches Program monitors “indicator organisms” to assess recreational water quality. Indicator organisms such as Enterococci and E. coli are two types of bacteria commonly found in the gut of warm-blooded animals and are used to indicate a recent source of pollution at a beach.

Know Before You Go, Safe Swimming Practices
• Be sure to avoid swimming within 48 hours of a heavy rain event.
• Try not to swallow beach water.
• Pick up waste left by your pets and dispose of it in the trash.
• Pick up your trash.
• When boating, use an approved marina pump-out station for waste disposal.
• Remember not to feed seagulls or other wildlife.
• Avoid swimming if you feel ill or have open cuts or sores. If water contact can’t be avoided, cover your open cut or sore with waterproof bandages.