WARWICK, R.I. — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has closed Conimicut Point Beach and Kent County YMCA Upper and Lower Ponds in Warwick a to swimming because of high bacteria levels.
Additional beaches closed to swimming as of Friday also include:
- Briar Point Beach in Coventry
- Burlingame Picnic Area and Camp Watchaug in Charlestown
- Easton’s Beach in Newport
The health department, which regularly checks city and state beach waters for high levels of bacteria, has closed and opened beaches statewide numerous times this summer as harmful bacteria levels have grown and diminished. RI beaches have often been declared open, then closed as little as a day later, and vice versa. RI beaches’ status can be monitored at the DOH website, and by recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line: 401-222-2751.
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.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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