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Swimming advisory lifted for Virginia Beach Oceanfront, portion of Chesapeake Bay

Posted at 4:13 PM, Sep 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 12:36:54-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Beach Health Department has lifted two swimming and wading advisories issued Wednesday for two sections of the city.

Waters in the following areas were found to contain bacteria levels that did not meet state water quality standards:

  • Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets
  • along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story
  • Lesner Bridge East
  • Chesapeake Beach
  • Chick’s Beach
  • First Landing Park Beach
  • Sea Gate Beach

The waters were tested again and the bacteria levels in the water were once again safe for swimming and wading.

Recreational waters are checked during the summer months for high levels of bacteria.

Indicator organisms like enterococci are monitored and when they are too high, a sign is posted at the beach.

Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the amount of fecal contamination of recreation water. They do not cause illness but research shows when enterococci are present, other disease-causing organisms may be as well.