HAMPTON, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health and the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts have lifted a swimming advisory issued Wednesday for two beaches in Hampton due to water quality issues.
The advisories were for Buckroe Beach South and Fort Monroe, according to health officials.
According to the VDH website, a water quality test conducted Tuesday morning revealed bacteria levels at both beaches exceeded state standards for acceptable bacteria levels. Buckroe Beach South reported a bacteria indicator value of 148 and Fort Monroe reported 160.
However, after conducting another water sampling test on Wednesday health officials said they were able to determine they no longer needed to have those swim advisories in place.
Mary Wainwright an environmental health manager for the Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts said an advisory is issued and signs go up on a beach to alert beachgoers of unsafe bacteria levels when the bacteria indicator value exceeds 104.
The water sample test conducted at most beaches tests for bacteria known as enterococci, found in feces.
According to Wainwright, localities are responsible for closing a beach entirely, the VDH only issues swimming and wading advisories.
