UPDATED: Recreational water advisory lifted for Rehoboth Beach

UPDATE: The recreational water quality advisory in Rehoboth Beach has been lifted.

A re-test was conducted July 3, and following a 24-hour lab test, the water sample from Rehoboth Avenue was found to be below the standard for recreational contact, said Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, July 4.

According to a state data base found online, the July 3 test showed 81 colony-forming units of enterococcus per 100 milliliters.

ORIGINAL: The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a water quality advisory July 3 for the beach at Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

According to a press release from the city, elevated levels of bacteria were found in a water sample taken July 2.

DNREC uses enterococcus levels to determine recreational swimming advisories in Delaware, with the threshold beginning at greater than 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. According to the sample data found online, there were 10,462 colony-forming units when the test was taken July 2. Typically, advisories are lifted within 24 hours of the notice. An end date has been issued for Friday, July 4.

The state also monitors bacteria levels at Virginia Avenue and Queen Street in Rehoboth Beach, but the online reporting website doesn’t have results for July 2 for either location. The last date for both was June 30, and each was well below the threshold.

The beach remains open, but swimmers are advised to use caution and avoid prolonged periods in the water, said city spokesperson Lynne Coan, in a prepared statement.

Most people who swim in water with elevated bacteria levels will not get sick, but a few may become seriously ill, said Coan. Those at risk include children and individuals older than 65, with medical conditions, or weakened immune systems, she said, adding swimmers should avoid submerging their heads in the water.

Elevated levels of bacteria can often be associated with heavy rain episodes, such as those the area has experienced this week, said Coan. Stormwater runoff may collect bacteria from pet and wildlife waste, she said.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.