Latest news with #Enterococci
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Environmental officials warn of high bacteria levels in Pantego Creek
BELHAVEN, N.C. (WNCT) — The beach access at Pantego Creek in Belhaven is under a warning from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, due to the high amounts of bacteria. Department officials have been taking water samples from this area for about two decades, and say the geography of the beach may cause some high and Enterococci bacteria levels. With holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th right around the corner, The level of caution in the water will need to match the amount of activities in the water. For more information, click on the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heading to your favorite CT beach on Memorial Day? Here are some of the cleanest on the Sound.
If you're planning on heading out to your favorite Connecticut beach spot this Memorial Day, you may want to check its water quality grade, as several public beaches in Connecticut and New York vary from excellent to poor, according to the 2025 Long Island Sound Beach Report. The annual report grades over 200 of Connecticut's public beaches and is prepared by Save the Sound, an environmental nonprofit, that seeks to protect the Sound through both legislative and legal action. Each beach's grade is based on 2024 water quality data that local health departments gathered and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency's water quality database, Save the Sound said. Among the most common reason beaches receive a bad grade is due to the presence of the bacteria Enterococcus, which alerts to the presence of fecal matter in water. The bacteria is used to determine whether the water quality at a given saltwater beach is safe for swimming. When Enterococci levels in water samples exceed the state-established criteria, beaches must close until levels are safe, according to the report. The bacteria can expose swimmers to pathogens that can cause a variety of symptoms and could result in illnesses of the upper respiratory tract and hepatitis, as well as minor skin eye, ear, nose and throat irritations. 'This report is not meant to be how the beach water quality is today,' said Save the Sound's Peter Linderoth, director of healthy waters and lands. 'It is important for people to recognize that local and regional health departments and municipalities manage whether a beach is open, closed or under advisory for any given day. But people can pick up this report and see how their beach has been performing in respect to water quality and how it relates to human health for several years. It can help inform people so they can make decisions on where they want to go.' Despite some beaches being poorly rated, the report listed overall good news for Connecticut beaches. In total, 72% of the Long Island Sound beaches monitored earned 'A' or 'B' grades for water quality, according to the report. Only a handful of Connecticut and New York beaches received grades of less than a 'B.' 'While that's still good, there's certainly room for improvement,' Linderoth said. 'Because from the last beach report that actually is a slide backwards. In 2023, 78% of the beaches received an 'A' or 'B' grade. So it just goes to show that better management of stormwater runoff is definitely one of the solutions to improving beach water quality.' Some of the lowest scoring beaches in Connecticut include Byram Park Beach in Greenwich and Harbor Island Beach in Mamoroneck, New York which both earned a 'D' rating. Seabluff Beach in West Haven scored a 'C-,' according to the group. Other beaches like Green Harbor Beach in New London and Sasco Beach in Fairfield both scored a 'C' rating. Short Beach in Stratford scored a 'C+.' 'If you see your favorite beach's name on the list of lowest-scoring public beaches in the region, or if you see consistent yellow, orange or red boxes in the grids of grades in the back half of the beach report, don't be alarmed. Consider it an opportunity to learn more about a potential problem your community might not have been aware of and a place to take action,' the report said. Among the highest scoring Connecticut beaches, nearly all of them are located in New London and New Haven counties. Beaches earn their way onto the top graded lists by maintaining the highest water quality grades over the last three swimming seasons, according to the report's grading criteria. All of the state's highest scoring beaches can be found 'from Madison down to the southeasternmost corner of the state,' the report says. Eastern Point Beach in Groton, East and West Wharf Beaches in Madison, Surf Club Beach in Madison, Westbrook Town Beach in Westbrook, Ocean Beach Park in New London, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and duBois Beach in Stonington all received an 'A+' grade. Noank Dock in Groton and White Sands Beach in Old Lyme both received an 'A' grade. The Westbrook Town Beach is the only beach with a 10-year streak of A+ grades. None of the 149 water samples taken at Westbrook since 2015 failed to meet the state's safe-swimming standards, according to the report. 'There's likely less to no direct stormwater being discharged near Westbrook Beach and the area is probably not developed that intensely,' Linderoth said. 'In addition, wastewater comes into play too here. Sewer infrastructure and pipes underground are probably well maintained, and septic tanks nearby are well maintained and pumped frequently, so they operate effectively and don't release sewage into our waters.' The report also raises concerns about the water quality impacts of rain events driven by climate change, noting an increase in 'lost beach days,' and wet weather sample failures, particularly in the western Long Island Sound. An increase in sample failures was even noted in several eastern Sound beaches, according to the report. After a rainstorm, beaches typically experience a decline in water quality, due to water runoff. Runoff often carries pollutants from land into waterways and water can pick up bacteria, sediments, fertilizers and other contaminants, impacting the clarity and safety of the water. Wet weather samples around the Sound failed 13.5% of the time this year, up from 11.0% in 2020–22, according to the report. During dry weather, samples overall failed 5.1% of the time, an increase from 4.2% in the 2023 report. Over the last three swimming seasons, wet weather fails jumped in part due to the significant increase in failure rate in the westernmost region of the Sound that combines Westchester County in New York and New York City from 14.9% in 2020–22, to 20.8% in 2022–24, according to data in the report. The report cites that the wet weather failure rate for 2024 was the highest reported in any region in the history of the nonprofit's beach reports, dating back to the three-year period from 2016 to 2018. Linderoth said that the westernmost region of the Sound has both the highest population density and combined sewer overflows, leading to poorer water quality. CSO's allow for untreated sewage to be released during rainfall events, preventing backup into homes or businesses. While Connecticut has several CSO's including in Norwich, the New York City area has far more that leech into the Sound, he said. The report also attributes the wet weather failures to the amount of rainfall over the last three years. A total of 22 inches fell around the region in 2024. The state has averaged 18.3 inches over the last three years, which matches the highest three-year total since 2011–13, the report said. Linderoth said climate change producing more intense storms is a primary concern. 'We really encourage people to pick up the beach report and use it as an advocacy tool to start discussions with local officials on how they can improve water quality or maintain it if they're happy with their grade,' Linderoth said. 'We are also more than happy talk with people about the report and facilitate discussions with local officials on how to improve water quality.' For a complete list of grades for Connecticut beaches visit More information on Save the Sound can be found on their website at Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Swim advisory lifted for 3 Pinellas County beaches
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A swim advisory has been lifted for three Pinellas County beaches, the Florida Department of Health announced Friday. The Department of Health in Pinellas County issued a public health advisory for Clearwater Beach near Mandalay Park, Sand Key County Beach, and Indian Rocks County Beach on Thursday due to high bacterial levels. Former Bucs player among 255 arrested in 'Fool Around and Find Out' undercover investigation Tests conducted on Friday showed that the water quality at all three beaches now shows 'an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines,' the health department said. Enterococci bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which could cause human disease, infection, or rashes, officials said. The bacteria could have come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage, according to the health department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Boil tap water' warning issued after high levels of harmful bacteria discovered in UK water supply
BRITS have been urged to boil their tap water after tests uncovered high levels of harmful bacteria in the water supply. Water people intend to drink, clean their teeth or wash salad with should be boiled before use, Yorkshire Water warned. 1 People were urged to boil water before using it to wash food or brush their teeth Credit: Getty The company said it had issued a "boil order" for its customers in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale following the discovery of coliform bacteria during routine testing. The germs widely found in the environment, particularly in water and soil. "They are a commonly used indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water," according to a report on water quality and management. While coliform bacteria themselves are generally harmless, their presence in drinking water can mean there's a risk of other, more harmful germs contaminating the water too. This is because coliform bugs - such as and Enterococci - are often found in the digestive tracts of animals and humans, suggesting faecal contamination and the presence of other disease-causing germs. Yorkshire Water said: "We regularly check our drinking water to make sure it meets our high standards and during routine tests we've found the water supply in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Burton in Lonsdale didn't meet our usual standards. "While we investigate this, we're asking all customers to boil their water as a precautionary measure to keep everyone safe. " The company explained that coliform bacteria had been found in water samples gathered during routine testing. "Whilst our treatment processes take out any impurities in the water to make sure it's of the highest quality, the coliform bacteria we have found in these samples is higher than we would normally see so as a precaution we are asking that customers boil their water before use until further notice. "Our water quality team will continue to take samples to monitor the quality of the water in the area whilst we work hard to resolve the issues. " Food Standards Agency explains E Coli Yorkshire Water said it was "working closely" with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the matter. Customers living in the affected postcodes received hand delivered notices about the boil order. The company provided a full list of affected postcodes on their website. People in these areas who become unwell were urged to tell their doctor about the boil order if they seek medical help. As of 5:30pm on April 13, the order was still in place "until further notice". "We are working to resolve the issue and our most recent tests show that the situation has improved," the water provider said. "We will be in touch to let you know when everything is back to normal." Sun Health has contacted Yorkshire Water for further updates. But the company assured customers that "boiling your water before consuming it is sufficient protection" against the bacteria. Symptoms of an infection Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure. The NHS lists the symptoms as: Diarrhoea Stomach cramps Occasionally fever About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they' ve been infected. But symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards. These symptoms can last up to two weeks. A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include: Peeing less Tiredness Swelling Bruising This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years. Some people become infected but don't develop symptoms. Speak to your GP if you or your child has diarrhoea and: It's particularly frequent or severe It lasts for more than seven days A severe or continuous stomach ache Weight loss Have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea Have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy If you or your child has bloody diarrhoea contact your GP practice and ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111. "Studies undertaken by the World Health Organisation has concluded that boiling the water is sufficient to inactivate pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa," it said. "Tap water should be boiled for a few seconds and stored in clean, covered containers in a cool place for a maximum of 24 hours." This applies to water for drinking, cleaning teeth or preparing foods people intend to eat raw, like salads or fruit. "Water for babies' feeds should be boiled - and allowed to cool - immediately before use," Yorkshire Water added. It noted that water filters won't help get rid of bacteria - instead they "may trap contamination". It urged customers not to use water filters in place of boiling. Yorkshire Water noted that it's still safe to use tap water for washing and showering, as well as washing clothes and dishes. The company said it given some customers with medical needs or who may find boiling water difficult with bottled water. For customers that may find it difficult to boil their water, we have delivered bottled water to three nearby locations. These are available while stocks last.
