NEW: Three Popular RI Beaches Closed Headed into Labor Day Weekend

NEW: Three Popular RI Beaches Closed Headed into Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend and going to the beach may be synonymous here in Rhode Island, but residents might not be able to visit their favorite beach destination this weekend, according to a new report by the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH).

Department officials have announced the closure of City Park Beach in Warwick, Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick, and Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett to swimming due to high bacteria counts.

Reason for closure

As part of its Beach Monitoring Program, water samples are collected by the Department and analyzed for Enterococci bacteria (an indicator organism used to detect the presence of fecal matter in the water column). According to standards set by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and US Environmental Protection Agency, any reading higher than 104 colony forming units, or cfu, per 100 milliliters of salt water triggers an alert.

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What causes poor water quality?

Stormwater, wastewater, and run-off are all major contributors to poor water quality at licensed beaches. To address this issue the Beach Program works closely with beach owners and managers, cities and towns, and other state agencies to identify and eliminate the sources of contamination.

Chance of reopening

Officials will continue to monitor the water quality and will re-open the beaches once the bacteria levels are safe for swimming. Beach status may change on a daily basis. For up to date information call (401) 222-2751 or visit www.health.ri.gov/beaches.