2 Beverly Beaches Reopen For Swimming After High Bacteria Alert

BEVERLY, MA — Two Beverly beaches that were among those that were closed to swimming because of high bacteria levels in recent days were cleared to reopen on Thursday.

Beverly health officials said that Mingo Beach and Dane Street Beach had returned to safe levels of bacteria in daily testing, while Brackenbury Beach, Obear Beach and Woodbury Beach remained off-limits for swimmers because of the risk that high bacteria levels — related to fecal matter likely caused by stormwater runoff — could cause illness.

Beverly had as many as six beaches where swimming was prohibited to begin last weekend but lifted the ban on three of those on Sunday.

The testing is for indicator organisms that are used to predict the presence of pathogens associated with fecal contamination. Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans often associated with fecal contamination.

The bacteria used as indicator organisms to test the waters at beaches are Enterococci and E. coli. Marine beaches are tested for the presence of Enterococci. Freshwater beaches are tested either for the presence of E. coli or Enterococci.

An elevated presence of these organisms indicates the water may not be safe for human or animal consumption or contact and cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal pain to eye and ear discomfort to flu-like symptoms.

Most of these symptoms are minor, but occasionally a more serious illness may occur. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for developing serious symptoms.

Some beach areas may remain open for recreational activities, though any contact with the water is strongly discouraged.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)