Five New York City beaches are currently under advisory, with officials recommending against swimming and wading due to elevated levels of bacteria. The warnings come as the region anticipates a significant heatwave for the Independence Day weekend.

The advisories indicate that the water at these locations has tested high for enterococci, a type of fecal bacteria. While not directly harmful, its presence can suggest the potential for more dangerous microbes in the water. Consuming or being exposed to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, and abdominal pain, or can cause infections in open wounds.

Safe levels of enterococci in city waters are defined as below 104 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water per test, or an average of 35 CFU over a month. The specific beaches under advisory and their recent test results are:

  • Sea Gate 42nd, Brooklyn: Measured 233 CFU/100 mL on Monday, more than double the acceptable limit.
  • Whitestone Boosters Civic Association (Boosters Beach), Queens: Recorded 136 CFU/100 mL on Tuesday, a decrease from 873 CFU/100 mL last week, which was over eight times the limit. The monthly average is 56 CFU/100 mL.
  • Douglaston Manor Beach, Queens: Has averaged 77 CFU/100 mL this month, exceeding the limit by 42 CFU/100 mL. Last week, levels were as high as 1,362 CFU/100 mL, but dropped significantly to 10 CFU/100 mL this week.
  • Trinity Danish Young People’s Society, Bronx: The monthly average is slightly above the limit at 37 CFU/100 mL. Last week, levels were 228 CFU/100 mL, but fell to 10 CFU/100 mL on Tuesday.
  • White Cross Fishing Club, Bronx: Recorded 127 CFU/100 mL on Tuesday, down from 194 CFU/100 mL the previous week.

The city's Department of Health advises that warmer temperatures and direct sunlight can accelerate bacterial growth in beach water and sand. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that individuals who choose to swim should avoid submerging their heads or swallowing water. For those wading, it is advised to keep open wounds out of the water and to wash hands after contact with sand.

Several other city beaches remain open and are considered safe for swimming, including Orchard Beach in the Bronx, and Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn. Rockaway Beach and Breezy Point in Queens are monitored twice weekly, while other city beaches undergo testing once a week.

Officials noted that current test results may not reflect the most recent conditions due to the ongoing heat, and conditions could have worsened. The city reserves the right to close beaches if conditions deteriorate further, if repeated illness reports are received, or if hazardous amounts of debris, waste, or sewage are detected.