Bathing Advisory Issued for Islip Beaches

On Monday afternoon - after the first line of severe thunderstorms moved through West Islip and the tri-state area in the morning – the Suffolk County Department of Health issued a bathing advisory for 60 beaches.

(See also the accompanying PDF file for a full list.)

That includes Benjamins Beach in Bay Shore, Brightwater Village Beach and Islip Beach.

The SCDHS advisory is based on the potential that bacterial numbers in excess of New York State standards - resulting from the heavy rain and storm water discharges - will impact these particular Great South Bay beaches - and others including those located in Sag Harbor, within and adjacent to various north shore embayments and along Long Island Sound.

The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by storm water runoff from the surrounding watersheds and/or adjacent tributaries, and, because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing, the SCDHS said.

The department said this advisory only affects beaches that are currently open for the season.

The Department recommends bathing and other water contact be suspended in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles, usually at least a 24-hour period, after the cessation of rainfall.

According to the SCDHS on Monday afternoon - ahead of the second round of thunderstorms that hit the area - this advisory will be rescinded as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

That is, the SCDHS said, unless sampling done by the Department finds elevated bacterial numbers persisting beyond the 24-hour period.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach Hotline at 631-852-5822, contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit the website link: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health and under “Our Mission,” “Our Environment,” click “Beaches.”