5 Rhode Island Beaches Closed To Swimming Due To High Bacteria Levels

PORTSMOUTH, RI — If you had beach plans for the July 4 weekend, it's possible those plans have to change if you want to go swimming.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) on Thursday recommended closing eight beaches for swimming due to high bacteria levels in the water.

Since then, three beaches — Scarborough South Beach in Narragansett, Third Beach in Middletown, and Easton's Beach in Newport — have reopened. But the health department said six beaches remain closed as of Friday morning.

"Subsequent samples collected at these beaches have indicated that bacteria counts have returned to safe levels," a RIDOH spokesperson said in a news release.

The Rhode Island beaches closed due to high bacteria levels include:

• Peabody's Beach, Middletown
• Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth
• City Park, Warwick
• Conimicut Beach, Warwick
• Kent County YMCA, Warwick.

RIDOH officials said they would continue to monitor and review beach water quality regularly to ensure safe bathing throughout summer.

The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH's beaches telephone line (401-222-2751).