Beverly Reopens 3 Beaches To Swimming After High Bacteria Alert

BEVERLY, MA — Three of the six Beverly beaches closed to swimming following a bacteria spike last week have reopened.

The city said that Independence Park, Dane Street Beach and Rice's Beach were reopened to swimming as of Sunday following additional testing. The city had said on Friday that further testing would not take place until this week.

The city also clarified that Woodbury Beach was open after it was erroneously listed among the closed beaches on the state's Department of Public Health website.

Brackenbury Beach, Mingo Beach and Obear Park remained among the beaches closed to swimming as of Sunday.

Swimming conditions could be affected this week, however, with bacteria contamination often coming from stormwater runoff during heavy rain events — with 1 to 2 inches of rain expected across the North Shore on Monday.

Contamination sources are also leaking pipes or septic systems, and pet and wildlife waste.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, most swim-related illnesses are associated with disease-causing organisms that are linked to fecal contamination.

Indicator organisms are used to predict the presence of pathogens associated with this 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 systems.

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.)