Water advisory for portion of Rehoboth Beach lifted after bacteria levels lowered

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6 hours ago

The water advisory for a portion of Rehoboth Beach, issued the day before the Fourth of July holiday, has been lifted.
The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control lifted the advisory after a retest, taken on July 3 at Rehoboth Avenue and tested in a lab for 24 hours, found the water to be "below the standard for recreational contact."
The beach remained open in Rehoboth on July 4 despite the advisory, though swimming is not typically recommended when these advisories are in effect. The state's announcement noted the advisory was formally lifted about 4 p.m.
WHAT HAPPENED: Temporary water quality advisory issued in Rehoboth Beach after bacteria levels test high
This marked the first advisory issued this summer for the Delaware beaches.
The state environmental department tests for the indicator bacteria, enterococci, at all guarded (and several unguarded) public beaches during the swimming season. High enterococcus levels can mean there are other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses in the water, the department's website says.
Those most at risk during these advisories include children and individuals older than 65, with medical conditions or weakened immune systems, the release said.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Rehoboth Beach water advisory lifted after bacteria levels came down