The Rhode Island Department of Health announced Sunday that King Park Beach and Fort Adams Beach in Newport have reopened for swimming after bacteria levels returned to safe standards.
Both beaches were closed to swimming on Thursday, Aug. 22, due to elevated bacteria counts that exceeded state safety thresholds. The closures lasted two days before water quality improved sufficiently to allow swimmers back in the water.
RIDOH monitors beach water for Enterococci bacteria, which can indicate the presence of harmful microorganisms. The state closes saltwater beaches when bacteria levels exceed 60 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water.
The health department will continue monitoring beach water quality through Labor Day weekend. Beach conditions can change as new water samples are analyzed, officials said.
Swimmers can check current beach conditions through RIDOH’s recorded information line at 401-222-2751 or online through the department’s beach closure database.
The brief closures at the Newport beaches were part of ongoing water quality monitoring that has affected multiple Rhode Island beaches this summer. According to state data, 19 beach facilities have experienced temporary swimming restrictions since late June due to bacteria levels or cyanobacteria advisories.
While beaches are closed for swimming during water quality advisories, the facilities themselves remain open to the public for other recreational activities.
