NORFOLK, Va. — Beaches near the Willougby Spit area of Norfolk were under swimming advisories for just a day after high levels of bacteria were found in the water.
On Tuesday, health officials found that enterococci levels at 10th View and 13th View beaches were higher than state quality standards. Signs were posted at these beaches warning people not to swim in the water.
Ocean View beach water is sampled 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 a gastrointestinal illness.
