NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Peninsula Health District has issued a swimming advisory for Hilton Beach.
Samples collected on June 15 by the Peninsula Health District showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the state water quality standard.
On June 17 health officials said the advisory had been lifted.
Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria routinely during the summer swimming season, using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters.
Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters. While these organisms do not 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 standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.
