News Flash

Aug. 28, 2019 - The Health Department has lifted a swimming advisory for Fort Monroe and Buckroe middle beaches due to levels of bacteria that exceeded the state water quality standards for swimming.

There are five locations in Hampton: Fort Monroe's Outlook Beach; three spots along Buckroe Beach; and Salt Ponds Beach. Buckroe is segmented, so bacteria levels could affect the entire area, or just a portion (the south, from the pier to Point Comfort Avenue; middle, from Point Comfort to Tappan avenues; or north, from Tappan to Pilot avenues.)

An advisory doesn’t close the water to swimmers — it just warns you that you face an 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.

To read more about the water testing program, go to https://hampton.gov/3520/Beach-water-testing