Health officials have lifted a swimming advisory for beaches in Newport News and Norfolk.
The Hampton-Peninsula Health Districts reported Wednesday that bacteria levels in the water at Hilton Park Beach and Anderson Park Beach meet the state water quality standards for recreational waters. State health officials also cleared nine Norfolk beaches, including East Community Beach, 5th Bay, Capeview, North Community Beach, Ocean View Park, Sarah Contant, 10th View, 13th View and Captain’s Quarters.
Earlier this week, officials found elevated levels of enterococci, an indicator of fecal matter in water, which exceeded Virginia’s water quality standard. Enterococci doesn’t generally cause illness itself but research shows its presence is “closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms” and puts swimmers at an “increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.”
Levels of bacteria are expected to decrease prior to the July Fourth holiday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
