NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Department of Public Health has lifted a Swimming Advisory for North Community Beach in the Ocean View area.
Officials say water testing conducted Monday revealed enterococci bacteria levels at this site exceeding State Water Quality Standards. Signs were posted to alert the public of the advisory. Health officials will continue testing beach water and will remove posted signs and notify the public when the bacteria levels decrease to meet state standards.
The Environmental Health Division of the Norfolk Department of Public Health samples Ocean View beach water on a weekly basis, during the swimming season, from late May through the end of September. 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 current swimming advisory maps and helpful tips about recreational water safety, click here.
