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Water advisory lifted for Rehoboth Beach

Enterococcus levels back below recreational swimming standard used by DNREC
July 31, 2020

Story Location:
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced July 31 the recreational swimming advisory for Rehoboth Beach at Rehoboth Avenue has been lifted.

According to a press release, water quality tests taken July 30 showed bacteria levels had returned below the advisory level. The advisory was issued July 30 based on results from sampling taken July 29.

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 231 colony-forming units during a test July 29. The sample data for July 30 showed the colony-forming units at 5. 

DNREC said the elevated level of bacteria was most likely caused by rainfall July 28. These bacteria often originate from wildlife sources and increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding near the surf (shorebirds, marine mammals or other warm-blooded animals), which can result in these indicator bacteria washing into near-shore waters.

The current advisory status and history of test results for monitored recreational waters in Delaware, including ocean and bay beaches as well as some inland ponds, is at recwaters.dnrec.delaware.gov/.

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