The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has issued a water quality advisory for Herring Point beach, within Cape Henlopen State Park near Lewes.
It’s the first water quality advisory issued at the Delaware beaches this summer, prompted by bacterial testing results that are higher than the recreational water quality standard. The department tests for Enterococci bacteria at all guarded and several unguarded beaches during the swimming season. Last year, there were a total of eight temporary water quality advisories issued at the Delaware beaches between July 28 and Sept. 7.
“These bacteria most likely originate from wildlife sources and increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding near the surf (shorebirds, marine mammals or other warm-blooded animals) and can result in these indicator bacteria washing into the near shore waters,” the advisory said.
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There were 309 enterococci colonies per 100 milliliters of water at Herring Point on Monday, according to the department’s website. (Results for bacteria testing become available 24 hours after they are delivered to a laboratory, the website says.) That’s compared with the geometric mean of 10 enterococci colonies per 100 milliliters of water at Herring Point this year to date and the state saltwater standard of 35 colonies.
The advisory took effect at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and will expire at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Swimming is not recommended.
“Enterococci are indicators of the presence of fecal material in water and, therefore, of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s website says.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught
