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Swimming advisory lifted for Norfolk beach

Posted at 3:57 PM, Oct 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-02 14:21:58-04

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Department of Health issued a swimming advisory Tuesday for Ocean View Beach Park at 100 W. Ocean View Avenue.

Water testing conducted Tuesday revealed enterococci bacteria levels at this location exceed state water quality standards.

On Wednesday the advisory was listed.

Re-sampling of the water determined that levels of enterococci organisms are within State Water Quality Standards.

All posted advisory signs were removed.

The Environmental Health Division of the Norfolk Department of Public Health samples Ocean View beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season.

Enterococci bacteria are a group of indicator organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination in recreational waters.

While enterococci bacteria do not generally cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms.  People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the state standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.

For more information, call the Environmental Health Division, Norfolk Department of Public Health at (757) 683-2712. For more information about the Virginia Department of Health’s Beach Monitoring Program, current swimming advisory maps and helpful tips about recreational water safety, click here.

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