Briar Point, Hope Pond Closed for Bacteria Counts

COVENTRY, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing Briar Point Beach in Coventry and Hope Community Service Pond in Scituate due to high bacteria counts.

The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line (401-222-2751). A list of closed beaches can also be accessed, and the beach’s status can be monitored, at the DOH website.

The health department routinely checks city and state beaches for high levels of bacteria in the water. Beach closures are announced with bacteria levels exceed more than 60 cfu/100 ml ((colony forming units per 100 milliliters) of Enterocci bacteria in saltwater and in freshwater.

In Warwick, Conimicut Point Beach was closed at the start of the month, but has since reopened. Beach closures due to high bacteria counts are now routine in Rhode Island during the summer months. Last year, several Kent County beaches were closed in late July as high bacteria counts were recorded in each location.

RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line (401-222-2751). A list of closed beaches can also be accessed at health.ri.gov.