High Bacteria Levels for Dewey and Bethany Beaches

The waters at Dewey and Bethany beach tested for high levels of unsafe bacteria Wednesday.   The water will be tested again tomorrow around 4 PM, but as of right now there is a high bacteria advisory and swimming advisory for Dewey and Bethany Beaches.   The Delaware Recreational Water website section has the alerts listed there.  We will keep you posted after tomorrow to see if there are any changes.  If you are surf fishing don’t stand in the water for a long period of time especially if you have open cuts or sores.

Fish On!!

Rich King

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Recreational Water Program protects the health of swimmers in a number of ways.

Shoreline surveys are conducted adjacent to guarded recreational beaches to identify all actual and potential sources of pollution.
Water samples are collected at least weekly at all guarded beaches during the swimming season (mid May through Labor Day).
Water samples are analyzed to determine the levels of Enterococci bacteria in recreational waters. Enterococcus is one of several indicator organisms that signal the presence of potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

Signs have been posted at popular public access points around Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay to warn potential swimmers of the risks associated with swimming in poor quality waters.
For your health and safety, the Department recommends swimming only at guarded beaches where water samples are collected.
There is a permanent caution regarding swimming in the Inland Bays. The Inland Bays suffer from nutrient pollution, coming from failing septic systems, fertilizers and other sources. Water is slow to flush out of these bay, Indian River Bay, Rehoboth Bay and Little Assawoman Bay, so pollutants linger.
For current information about swimming advisories, please click on any of the beaches on the adjacent, or call our toll-free, 24-hour “Beach Hotline” at 1-800-922-WAVE.