Community Corner

UPDATE: Douglas Manor Beach Still Closed

Department of Health Shuts Swimming Hole After Bacteria Levels Exceed Acceptable Limit

UPDATE: June 15, 12:45 p.m.: The Douglaston Manor Beach remained closed today after the city's Department of Health discovered high bacteria levels in the water.

Zoe Tobin, deputy press secretary for the DOH, said the beach was closed on June 5 due to "elevated bacteriological counts and swimming [and] bathing are not permitted."

The agency collects samples each week at the beach. But last week's samples were collected during dry weather, so recent rainfall did not account for the closing. Tobin said the area had a history of failing septic tanks.

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The beach is currently not in operation, she said.

The Douglas Manor Beach has been closed for swimming today after its bacteria count was discovered to exceed acceptable levels, according to the city’s Department of Health.

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The DOH closed the beach after determining that the swimming hole's bacteria count caused by storm water runoff and combined sewer overflow could pose a public health risk.

It was unclear when the beach was scheduled to reopen.

The city posts a wet weather advisory when bacteria levels are considered unsafe for swimming or bathing.

But a beach will be closed if samples show that its water has more than 35 colony forming units, which is a measure of bacterial numbers, per 100 milliliters in a series of five tests taken during a period of 30 days.

A swimming hole can also be closed following the discovery of hazardous amounts of floatable debris, infectious waste, toxic contaminants, petroleum products, sewage or wastewater.

For more information, visit the DOH’s website.


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