The Westchester County Health Department has determined that all County beaches are safe to reopen, just in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Playland Beach and Surf Club Beach had been closed earlier in the week after bacteria was found in the water, which poses a threat to swimmers.
Health Department officials sent out multiple water samples to test for enterococcus bacteria before reopening the beaches to patrons.
The Westchester County Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, issues permits for all regulated swimming beaches in Westchester County. All permitted beaches must adhere to the NYS Sanitary Code Subpart 6-2 (Bathing Beaches) and the Westchester County Sanitary Code.
Beaches are sampled once a week for enterococcus bacteria. Beaches must meet the water quality standards and monitoring regulations. When levels exceed the state standard, beaches are closed and resampled until samples meet the standard.
Fluctuating bacteria levels in the water is normal, and may change based on rainfall and fluctuation in tides. The closures were the likely result of excessive rainfall, and discharge from storm water drains.