NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — UPDATE: This notice was lifted on June 30.
The health department said it wasn't safe to swim at Hilton Park Beach in Newport News on Tuesday, June 29.
The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) tested for water quality on Monday, and said based on those tests, the bacteria levels are too high for people to get in the water.
It's not the first time this season the Hilton Park Beach has been put under this kind of advisory. The bacteria levels were too high in tests completed on June 1 and June 14.
Enterococci tests to figure out the levels of fecal matter at beaches happen regularly, and once bacteria levels go back down, the health department will lift the restrictions.
In the meantime, officials will post signs on the beach near the affected water.
If you swim in water that has above-average bacteria levels, you could get sick.
“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” wrote Mary Wainwright, the acting environmental health manager of HPHD.
