No Swimming In Salem: High Bacteria Levels Close 2 Beaches

SALEM, MA — Two Salem beaches have joined a list of those on the North Shore closed to swimming because of water testing that revealed high levels of potentially harmful bacteria.

The Willow Avenue beach and Pioneer Beach — which is immediately adjacent to Pioneer Village at Forest River Park — were both closed as of Friday morning.

Salem joins Beverly in closing beaches because of the elevated bacteria. As of Friday, three Beverly beaches remained off-limits to swimming after as many as six were closed last week.

"The city will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available," Salem officials said.

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.

These are most likely to appear in the water because of stormwater runoff following heavy rain.

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.)