Bacteria Scare Closes 14 Long Island Beaches: SC Health Dept.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Fourteen beaches on Long Island are closed for swimming after heavy rains, the Suffolk County Health Department announced on Wednesday

Because the beaches are located in parts of Long Island heavily impacted by stormwater runoff, the health department closed the beaches from swimming due to potentially high levels of bacteria in the water, officials said.

Health officials recommend suspending bathing and contact with water in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles in at least a 24-hour period after the rain has ended.

Officials expect to open the beaches Wednesday, July 31, at 5 a.m. unless sampling reveals elevated levels of bacteria persisting beyond the 24-hour period.

Beaches closed for swimming include:

• Amityville Beach in Amityville
• Tanner Park in Copiague
• Venetian Shores Beach in West Babylon
• Havens Beach in Sag Harbor
• West Islip Beach in West Islip
• Benjamins Beach in Bay Shore
• Islip Beach in Islip
• East Islip Beach in East Islip
• West Oaks Recreation Club Beach in West Sayville
• Brightwaters Village Beach in Brightwaters
• Bayport Beach in Bayport
• Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville
• Bayberry Beach & Tennis Club Beach in Islip
• Ronkonkoma Beach (Town of Islip) in Ronkonkoma

Officials said anyone interested in the latest information on affected beaches may call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 or visit suffolkcountyny.gov/health and search “Beach Monitoring Program."