The Westchester County Department of Health (DOH) closed both Playland Beach and Oakland Beach in Rye Town Park until further notice on Friday, August 9. The closure was due to elevated bacteria levels.
Specifically, the DOH said there were two separate samples taken on August 6 and 8 that exceeded the upper limit of bacterial density as defined by NYSSC 6-2.15 (c)(1)(iii) of 104 enterococci per 100 ml of seawater. Enterococci are bacteria that indicate fecal contamination, according to the EPA. The source could be overloaded sewage treatment plant effluents and stormwater runoff.
Earlier this week, on Wednesday 7 August, the Department of Health closed the beach at Coveleigh Club in Rye until further notice as a precautionary measure following 61mm of rainfall in the previous 24 hours.
The DOH has established thresholds to serve as a guide for closing beaches in the protected area of Mamaroneck Harbor as well as the open waters of Coveleigh and Davenport Neck in New Rochelle.
- More than 1/2 inch of rain = 1 day closure
- More than 1 inch of rain = 2 days closure
- More than 2 inches of rain = to be determined
If you plan to visit Rye’s beaches after it has rained, call the beach to check that they are open.
