VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Early Thursday morning, health officials lifted the swimming advisory that had been issued in Virginia Beach on Wednesday due to water quality issues.
The advisory was for part of the Oceanfront area from 22nd Street to 37th Street, according to the city’s health district.
According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website, a water quality test conducted Tuesday morning revealed bacteria levels at 28th Street Beach exceeded state standards for acceptable bacteria levels.
However, results from a more recent water test show bacteria levels now meet State Water Quality Standards and the swimming advisory has been lifted.
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, which is found in feces.
According to Wainwright, localities are responsible for closing a beach entirely, the VDH only issues swimming and wading advisories.