Swimming, Water Restrictions Lifted at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater

EDGEWATER, MD — High levels of bacteria in the water of the Rhode River have subsided, so restrictions on the beach at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater have been lifted, county health officials said Friday.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health issued an advisory Aug. 19 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 lasted for a week until water samples show bacteria levels to be acceptable according to EPA standards, said the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Officials posted advisory signs at the beach.

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. After rains of half an inch or more, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for at least 48 hours due to predicted elevated bacteria levels from rainwater runoff and increased health risks. Do not swim in cloudy, murky water.

For updates on water sample results, visit www.aahealth.org, www.aahealth.org/beachor call the Water Quality Line at 410-222-7999.