Beverly Beach Still Closed To Swimming With High Bacteria Levels

BEVERLY, MA — Obear Beach in Beverly remained off-limits to swimming as of Monday morning because of high bacteria levels.

The city said five of the six beaches closed over the past two weeks had been reopened to swimming. Those beaches had been closed due to the high bacteria levels — related to fecal matter likely caused by stormwater runoff — which could cause illness.

The beaches were closed after testing for indicator organisms that are used to predict the presence of pathogens. 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.)