Barrington Beach Shut Down

Barrington beach has been closed until further notice because of high bacteria counts.

The Rhode Island Health Department contacted Barrington about 4 pm.

"We shut down the beach right away," said Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr.. “It has been closed and will remain closed until the health department tells us otherwise.”

DeAngelis said that water samples will be taken again Thursday morning and sent to the health department. There is a typical 24-hour turnaround with results, he said.

DeAngelis said that the health department blamed the high bacteria counts on the recent heavy rains, which probably overwhelmed sewage treatment plants or poured more storm water than usual into Narragansett Bay.

“We take the lead from them,” the town manager said. “They have an outstanding beach monitoring program.”

The status of a beach may change daily. For up-to-date information about swimming at Rhode Island beaches, call (401) 222-2751 or visit www.health.ri.gov/beaches to use HEALTH’s interactive beach map.