Three Suffolk Beaches Closed Over Bacteria

Elevated bacteria levels have forced Suffolk County health officials to close three beaches to swimming until additional testing shows the water is safe.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced Tuesday that Ronkonkoma Beach on Lake Ronkonkoma, Gold Star Battalion Beach in Huntington and Venetian Shores Beach in Lindenhurst were closed after water samples exceeded acceptable bacterial standards.

The county’s closure notice did not specifically attribute the elevated readings to recent rainstorms. However, health officials say stormwater runoff is the predominant source of bacteria at Suffolk’s marine and coastal beaches.

Rainwater can pick up bacteria as it flows across roads, lawns, parking lots and other surfaces before entering storm drains and local waterways. That runoff can temporarily raise bacterial levels, particularly at beaches with limited tidal circulation.

Ronkonkoma Beach, located on a freshwater lake, has experienced previous closures related to elevated bacteria. Freshwater beaches may also be affected by waterfowl, animal waste, septic-system contamination and runoff from surrounding developed areas.

Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott warned that swimming in bacteria-contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness and infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

The three beaches will remain closed until follow-up samples show bacteria have fallen to acceptable levels, according to the county’s official closure notice.

The county routinely monitors bathing beaches during the swimming season. Its Beach Monitoring Program identifies stormwater runoff as the leading source of bacteria entering coastal bathing waters.

Residents can check the latest beach conditions by calling Suffolk County’s Bathing Beach Hotline at 631-852-5822. The Office of Ecology can also be reached during business hours at 631-852-5760.

Officials advised residents to stay out of the water at all three locations until the closures are formally lifted.