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Update, July 3, 4:25 p.m.: All three Warwick beaches were reopened this afternoon by order of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Original post: Warwick, RI – Goddard Memorial Park Beach, closed by the RI Health Department June 23 for high levels of bacteria, reopened for a day before closing again Thursday, followed by closures at Oakland and Conimicut Point Beaches the same day.
According to the RI Department of Health website, beach closures are based on the concentration of Enterocci bacteria in beach water samples is measured in cfu/100ml (colony forming units per 100 milliliters). Beach closures are based on results of more than 60 cfu/100 ml in salt water and in fresh water.
The department’s website notes that such closures are closely tied to recent rainfall that transports contaminants including bacteria into the water surrounding beaches. Those closures have dramatically dropped since 2009 when Phase I of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s “Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program” came online.
The program built a series of tunnels to capture runoff during heavy rainfall for treatment before release into local waters.
Locally, Warwick has removed thousands of cesspools and installed municipal sewer connections in the Oakland Beach area, contributing to the decrease in beach closures, according to the Department of Health
Goddard State Park Beach was also recently closed June 2 for two days, re-opening on June 4.
For the latest information about swimming at Rhode Island beaches,visit the Department of Health website or call (401) 222-2751.
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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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