HAMPTON, Va. — It’s a rather quick process. A small glass jar gets dipped into beach water. Then, the sample collected heads back to the lab.
“That water sample is then delivered to the City of Newport News Waterworks,” said Mary Wainwright, an environmental health manager for the Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts.
This sample test helps environmental health officials look for bacteria called enterococci.
“That’s just an indicator bacteria that there may be fecal matter present in the water,” she said.
Wainwright said these tests are based on Virginia’s Beach Action Value. Wainwright says when the value is at or above 104, an advisory is issued and signs go up across the beach alerting beachgoers.
“Saying ‘hey, we could have fecal bacteria present in this water. It could cause recreational illnesses such as gastrointestinal upset.’”
Several beaches including Buckroe Beach get tested on a weekly basis from May through September as health officials expect more people out on the water.
“The summer season is big,” she said. “People are getting out, the weather is nice and they want to get in the water.”
Wainwright said the goal is to keep everyone safe. Though advisories don't prohibit people from swimming in natural waters, it is not recommended to swim at that time. However, if you choose to take a dive despite the warning, she said be cautious.
“Make sure that you don’t have any cuts open wounds or sores, that you’re not immunocompromised that would make you more susceptible to potentially an infection.”
She adds make sure you shower immediately when you come out of the water. Wainwright said officials recommend the same guidelines for pets.
Wainwright said the Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts typically test beach water levels each Tuesday. She said the weekly sample test has been funded by an EPA grant for several years.
Wainwright said the Virginia Department of Health only issues swimming advisories. They don't close beaches. She said it's up to the locality to determine whether a beach should be closed.
You can monitor the status of Virginia beaches on the VDH website.