Beverly's Brackenbury Beach Still Closed To Swimming Due To High Bacteria Levels

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly's Brackenbury Beach remains off-limits to swimming heading into the weekend because of elevated bacteria levels likely caused by fecal contamination.

The city said that while Brackenbury remains closed to water activities due to the possibility of making people and animals sick, the other three beaches where swimming had not been permitted for the past week — Dane Street Beach, Pleasant View/Goat Hill Beach and Rice's Beach — had returned to acceptable levels.

"Water quality at public beaches in Massachusetts is required to be monitored by local public health departments," the city said. "When the water quality is unsafe, the beach must be 'posted' with a sign indicating swimming is unsafe and may cause illness."

The city said the next testing will not occur until next week.

Beverly beaches have been plagued with high bacteria levels amid the excessive rain since June with up to six closed at one point. The contamination is often caused by stormwater runoff following substantial rains.

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.

Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans often associated with fecal contamination.

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. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)