One hour it’s sunny, another storm clouds are building, and another it’s pouring. With the weather we’ve had this week it’s best to keep the standard rule in mind: avoid swimming for 48 hours after a significant rain, if you are concerned about unhealthy bacteria levels.
But if you are looking for specific details here are the swimming areas in the county that tested high for bacteria this week:
SEVERN
Find out what's happening in Anne Arundelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Admiral Heights – Dewey Drive – 118
MAGOTHY
Find out what's happening in Anne Arundelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Longview – 106
Cape Arthur – 256 **
SOUTH
Pine Whiff – 452
RHODE
Holly Hills – 216
WEST
Westelee – 160
CHESAPEAKE BAY
Beverly Beach – 171 **
Fairhaven – 308 **
Enterococci counts are expressed as cfu or colony-forming units. Greater than 104 cfu/100 ml are considered elevated bacteria levels.
Enterococci are bacteria that are found in the GI tract of warm-blooded animals, which includes all birds and mammals. Their presence in surface water indicates recent contamination with fecal waste.
Both the county health department and a network of volunteers test over 100 public beaches and other areas around the county for bacteria. The results from the county tests are put online here, and for the volunteer tests here for Severn and Magothy rivers, here for South River, and here for Rhode/West River. All the sites listed above were tested by Watershed Stewards.
Rain washes human and animal waste from the landscape. For that reason, county and state officials warn residents not to swim or come into contact with water for 48 hours after a significant rain.
Bacteria that is ingested can cause an upset stomach. In some cases more harmful bacteria coming into contact with open wounds can cause serious infection.
Have fun, stay safe
