UPDATE: RI Dept. of Health Announces All Beaches Now Open

UPDATE: RI Dept. of Health Announces All Beaches Now Open

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) has announced this afternoon that all Rhode Island beaches will now be open for swimming this Labor Day weekend.

As GoLocal reported earlier today, HEALTH had announced the closure of City Park Beach in Warwick, Cominicut Point Beach in Warwick, and Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett due to high bacteria counts.

Specifically, this means that enterococci bacteria (an indicator organism used to detect the presence of fecal matter in the water column) levels were higher than the acceptable standards set by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and US Environmental Protection Agency.

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A phone call from GoLocal to HEALTH this morning confirmed that the trio of beaches was to be closed on Friday, but the latest report from HEALTH states that officials have recommended re-opening the aforementioned beaches for swimming.

According to HEALTH, new water samples show bacteria levels are now within acceptable limits. Water quality analysis is conducted by the HEALTH laboratory or a state certified laboratory.

Currently all licensed beaches are open for swimming. HEALTH will continue to monitor the water quality regularly to assure safe bathing throughout the summer season.

Beach status may change on a daily basis. For up to date information call (401) 222-2751 or visit www.health.ri.gov/beaches.