A swimming advisory affecting the resort area of the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach has been lifted, according to officials.
The advisory was issued Wednesday after tests showed that bacteria levels did not meet state water quality standards. Retested results show bacteria levels have returned to a safe level in water near the Neptune Statue and boardwalk in the popular tourist area.
The Virginia Department of Health measures public waters regularly for enterococci bacteria during the warmer months. Enterococci bacteria are a group of organisms used to measure fecal contamination in recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, the health department reports that their presence is “closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms.”
People swimming or playing in waters with higher bacteria levels have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness, often caused by swallowing the water.
Swimming and wading are now allowed.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
