Officials Open Sound Beach Bathing Area After Increased Bacteria Levels Subside

UPDATE: The beach was reopened Thursday afternoon, a Suffolk health department spokeswoman says.

SOUND BEACH, NY — Scott’s Beach in Sound Beach has been closed for bathing since Tuesday after bacterial levels exceeding acceptable criteria were found, a spokeswoman for the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said Thursday.

The beach will reopen when further testing reveals the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels.

Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said that bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach hotline at 631-852-5822 or contact the Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 during business hours.