Water at several Sound Shore beaches closed after weekend storms
The Westchester County Health Department closed water access at Harbor Island, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club as well as Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club in Mamaroneck, Coveleigh Club in Rye, and Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Club, Greentree Club and Surf Club in New Rochelle.
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Beachgoers trying to cool off on Monday are out of luck at nearly a dozen beaches along the Sound Shore.
The Westchester County Health Department closed water access at Harbor Island, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club as well as Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club in Mamaroneck, Coveleigh Club in Rye, and Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Club, Greentree Club and Surf Club in New Rochelle.
The area received nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain on Sunday which can lead to potential increases in harmful pollutants dumped into the water. Heavy stormwater runoff mostly harms still bodies of water like those along the shore because they don't have the natural tides to purge the bacteria quickly.
The harmful bacteria may cause illness to anyone who gets in the water.
"It's something that we take very seriously here and we're very strict on and so is the county health department," said Jason Pinto, supervisor for Mamaroneck Village Recreation.
Pinto compared this issue to what Paris Olympics officials are dealing with in the Seine River where excess rain elevated bacteria levels to a point where events are delayed.
At Harbor Island, where the village runs a summer camp, they're pivoting to freshwater activities like the splash park to keep 300 campers cool throughout the day.
"Whatever summer activities we have, we want to make sure you're safe doing them," he said.
While the sand and any freshwater areas of these affected beaches will remain open, the water will be closed for the rest of Monday. The county Health Department generally closes beaches from swimming for one day if there's more than half an inch of rain, two days if there's more than an inch and indefinitely if there's more than two inches within 24 hours.
With heavy storm concerns on the horizon this week, it's very likely the water at these beaches will remain closed for an extended period.
