No Swimming Advisory Issued for Smithtown Beaches

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against swimming at 64 beaches, including five in the Town of Smithtown, due to heavy rainfall overnight and Monday.

The advisory is based on the potential for the presence of bacteria at levels that exceed New York State standards, health officials said.

The Town of Smithtown beaches under the advisory are:

• Callahans Beach
• Short Beach
• Nissequogue Point Beach
• Long Beach
• Schubert Beach

The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds and/or adjacent tributaries and, because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing.

The health department recommends that bathing and other water contact be suspended in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles (at least a 24 hour period) after the cessation of rainfall. The advisory will be lifted Wednesday morning unless beach water samples reveal elevated levels of bacteria persisting beyond the 24-hour period, officials said.

See the full list of affected beaches here.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 852-5822, contact the department’s Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit Suffolk County Department of Health Services beach monitoring webpage.