Rehoboth Beach, Delaware — A swimming advisory is in effect for Rehoboth Beach along Rehoboth Avenue after state officials found elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria during routine water sampling.
The advisory began Thursday afternoon and remains in place through 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control says the advisory is not a beach closure, but it warns swimmers of increased risk, particularly for those with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Testing showed that bacteria levels were above the state’s recreational water quality standard. DNREC attributes the spike to recent heavy rainfall, which can lead to increased runoff and contamination along the shoreline. Officials have already collected another sample from the same area. If follow-up results show bacteria levels have dropped back below the health threshold, the advisory will be lifted.
The purpose of this advisory is to give beachgoers the facts so they can decide whether to enter the water, especially if they fall into a higher risk group. For questions about individual risk factors, the public is advised to consult a physician. Advisories like this are not uncommon following storms, and conditions can change quickly at Delaware’s ocean beaches.
No other areas in Rehoboth are currently under advisory.
For updates, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov
