News Flash

June 14, 2018 - The Hampton Health Department has lifted a swimming advisory for Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe. the most recent beach water samples  showed that bacteria levels in the water met  state water quality standards. 

Earlier this week, beaches along three sections of Buckroe Beach and Salt Ponds tested within the acceptable range. Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria weekly. 

An advisory doesn’t close the water to swimmers – it just warns you that you face elevated risk. The risk is especially elevated for children, who are more likely to swallow the water, or those who have open wounds or weakened immune systems.

When the city is notified of contaminated water, officials begin looking for a cause. Most commonly, bacteria levels can increase after a major storm, when sewer or wastewater systems could become overwhelmed and have overflows. Bacteria also could be caused by a leak in one of the systems.