Summer swimming safety tips for children, families
Swim more safely this summer following these tips from the American Red Cross.
One of the swimming beaches at Hamlin Beach State Park has temporarily closed due to high levels of E. coli in the water, according to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The closure affects one of the three designated swimming areas at the park, located along the southern shore of Lake Ontario in Hamlin. Water samples taken on Tuesday, July 8, showed E. coli levels exceeding state safety standards, prompting the temporary shutdown.
New York has 67 state-owned swimming beaches, all of which are tested at least once a week for bacterial contamination to assess the risk of waterborne illnesses. If a sample exceeds safety limits, a beach may either remain open under advisory or be closed until water quality improves.
State guidelines say that freshwater samples with E. coli levels of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters or higher exceed the acceptable limit. The July 8 sample from Hamlin Beach reported levels above 2,400 colonies.
What triggers a beach closure in New York state parks?
Beaches are closed when there is a confirmed or potential risk to public health. In such cases, warning signs are posted, and the public is notified 18 to 24 hours after an elevated bacteria concentration is detected.
Elevated bacteria levels can result from several factors, including stormwater runoff, land use in surrounding watersheds, naturally occurring bacteria in sand or soil, and other environmental conditions.
Closures are based on a combination of monitoring results, water conditions (such as sewage overflows, high waves, or cold temperatures), recent weather events, and historical data.
