Beach Reopens for Swimming

Barrington Beach is reopening for swimmers – for at least Saturday.

The RI Department of Heath said results from Thursday’s water sample gave the beach a clean bill of health, said Recreation Director Michele Geremia.

Another water sample was taken Friday morning to determine the impact of Thursday's rainfall, she said.

Those results are expected to be reported back to Barrington on Saturday afternoon. They will determine whether the beach will be open for swimming on Sunday, she said. 

The health department shut down the beach late Wednesday because of high bacteria counts blamed on the heavy rains earlier in the week, which probably overwhelmed sewage treatment plants or poured more storm water than usual into Narragansett Bay.

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.