The Rhode Island Department of Health on Tuesday recommended closing swimming areas at two Middletown beaches due to elevated bacteria levels that pose health risks to swimmers.
Third Beach and Peabody’s Beach were added to the state’s beach closure list after water samples showed bacteria counts exceeding safe swimming standards, according to a RIDOH press release issued Monday evening.
The department uses enterococcus bacteria as an indicator of water quality, with closures triggered when levels exceed 60 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters in both saltwater and freshwater. High bacteria counts can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin infections and other health problems in swimmers.
While the two Middletown beaches join the closure list, RIDOH announced that Spouting Rock Beach Association in Newport has been cleared to reopen for swimming after bacteria levels returned to acceptable limits. The Newport beach had been closed since Aug. 20.
The closures come during the final weeks of summer swimming season, as RIDOH continues daily water quality monitoring through Labor Day. Beach conditions can change rapidly based on weather, tides and other environmental factors.
“The status of a beach may change as new data become available,” the department stated in its announcement.
During closures, beach facilities remain open to the public for other activities, but health officials advise against swimming or water contact sports.
Rhode Island has experienced multiple beach closures this summer, with more than 20 facilities temporarily shut down at various points since June due to bacteria concerns. Recent closures have affected beaches from Warwick to Newport, with some facilities experiencing multiple closure periods.
Beachgoers can check current conditions through RIDOH’s beaches telephone line at 401-222-2751 or visit the department’s website at health.ri.gov/beaches for updated closure information.
The department will continue collecting water samples and monitoring bacterial levels at all licensed beach facilities throughout the remainder of the swimming season.