Beach plans in parts of Anne Arundel County are on hold after health officials slapped no-swim advisories on three community shorelines because of elevated bacteria levels in the water. Residents are being urged to stay out of the water at Bayside Beach, Carrollton Manor and Upper Magothy Beach while follow-up testing is underway.
Routine sampling this week turned up enterococci counts higher than the level the county uses to decide whether water is safe for direct contact, according to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. The advisories will stay in place until new test results show bacteria levels have dropped back into the acceptable range.
What officials are saying
“We recommend that no one come in contact with the water,” Don Curtian, director of environmental health, told The Banner. Curtian said swallowing contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness and that, in marine waters, bacteria can sometimes reach the bloodstream and trigger dangerous Vibrio infections. He also cautioned people not to swim with open cuts and to scrub with soap and hot water if they end up in suspect water anyway.
Testing and next steps
The county’s Recreational Water Quality program checks more than 80 community beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day and typically pulls samples on Mondays, according to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Officials expect to retest the three affected beaches on Monday. Advisories will be lifted only if lab results come back within safe limits, and residents are being urged to keep an eye on the county’s water-quality website and social media channels for updates.
Why readings can spike
Bacteria levels often jump after heavy rain, when stormwater runoff washes wildlife and other waste into shallow swimming areas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tracks those problems using enterococci as a key indicator of fecal contamination. Local volunteer monitoring programs also collect samples during the summer and help highlight trouble spots for county testing, according to Arundel Rivers.
Practical advice for beachgoers
Health officials say it is smart to wait at least 48 hours after a heavy rainfall before swimming and to avoid water contact if you have an open cut or a weakened immune system, which can lower the risk of bacterial illness. Fishing and crabbing are still on the table, as long as people wear gloves while handling their catch and cook seafood thoroughly, officials told The Banner.
