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Health Department issues swimming advisory for southern part of Buckroe Beach

The Health Department said there were high levels of bacteria that exceed state water quality standards for swimming.

The Health Department issued a swimming advisory for the southern end of Buckroe Beach due to high levels of bacteria that exceed the state water quality standards for swimming.

The affected area runs from the fishing pier to Point Comfort Avenue.

The advisory doesn't mean the water is closed to swimmers, swimmers just face an elevated risk, which is especially elevated for children and those with opened wounds and weakened immune systems.

The water is tested for Enterococci, which do not cause illness, but their presence indicates that fecal contamination and other harder-to-detect bacteria are present. The Environmental Protection Agency standard sets the unacceptable level where people show greater incidence of illness.

Additional samples were collected Wednesday. Signs will be removed and notifications will be sent out when the levels meet state water quality standards.

Bacteria levels most commonly increase after a major storm and when sewer or wastewater systems overflow.

Officials will continue to test the water and will notify the public when the advisory is lifted.

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