DNREC issued a swimming advisory for Rehoboth Beach after officials found high levels of bacteria at the Rehoboth Avenue beach entrance today.
REHOBOTH BEACH (DE): As people swarm Delaware Beaches for relief from high temperatures and a blistering sun, some beach-goers were out of luck if they tried to get into the ocean near the Rehoboth Avenue entrance this afternoon.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) issued a swimming advisory today for Rehoboth Beach near Rehoboth Avenue due to an elevated indicator bacteria sample.
“This swimming advisory is not a beach closing, nor does this advisory affect the entire beach.,” said Krys Johnson, spokesperson for Rehoboth Beach. “Signs have been posted alerting the public of the advisory.”
DNREC will continue testing the site, and the advisory will be lifted as soon as bacteria levels decrease to levels that meet the standard., Johnson said.
Advisories are issued to let people know that there may be bacteria present that could cause health problems, particularly for people with underlying conditions or the very young or old.
DNREC says the bacterial results were above the recreational water quality standard. “These bacteria most likely originate from wildlife sources and increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding near the surf (shorebirds, marine mammals or other warm blooded animals) can result in these indicator bacteria washing into the near shore waters.”
DNREC monitors water quality throughout the summer months. Elevated readings are often caused by a heavy rain event, which was the case this past Tuesday. For more information, please visit recwaters.dnrec.delaware.gov.
