High Bacteria Levels Lead To Riverhead Beach Closures

RIVERHEAD, NY — High bacteria levels have led to the closure of two Riverhead beaches, officials say.

According to the Suffolk County Department of Health, Camp Baiting Hollow Beach, on the Long Island Sound, and Camp DeWolfe Beach are both closed to bathing due to the findings of bacterial levels in excess of acceptable criteria.

Good news, however: The beach closing for West Islip Beach has been lifted, as results of recent samples collected show the water quality to be within acceptable levels, officials said.

Sound Beach Property Owners Association Beach-West, Beech Road Beach and Broadway Beach, all located in the Town of Brookhaven, Tanner Park Beach in the Town of Babylon and Lake Ronkonkoma Beach, in the Town of Islip, remain closed due to the finding of bacteria at levels in excess of acceptable criteria.

According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

Beaches will reopen when further testing reveals that the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the bathing beach hot line at 631-852-5822, contact the department's office of ecology at 631-852-5760 during normal business hours, or click here.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.