Swimming advisory issued for Yorktown Beach

YORKTOWN – A Yorktown Beach swimming advisory has been issued by the Peninsula Health District.

Samples obtained last week showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the state’s water quality standard. The water at 49 public beaches in Virginia is monitored weekly during the swimming season to ensure safety.

The public is asked to avoid any activities that will lead to prolonged contact with the bacteria, including swimming or stand-up paddleboarding. Pets should also avoid the water, according to the health department.

The bacteria identified is enterococci. While the bacteria itself is not harmful, it indicates that other potentially harmful organisms may be nearby, according to VDH. People who swim or play in water with high levels of the bacteria have an increased risk of developing a gastrointestinal illness.

What’s next: Signs have been posted at the beach to alert the public of the advisory. Once the bacteria levels decrease to within the quality standard range, the signs will be removed, and the public will be notified that the water is safe for swimming again.

“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Mary Wainwright, Environmental Health Manager of the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts. “Typically, an advisory of this nature is temporary and will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to a safe level.”