Department of Health Closes 3 Staten Island Beaches - South, Midland, and Cedar Grove Beaches Closed Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The New York City Health Department has changed beach pollution advisories to beach closure notices for the following locations on Tuesday, July 26, 2011:

·         South Beach in Staten Island

·         Midland Beach in Staten Island

·         Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island

·         Sea Gate in Brooklyn

The most recent water quality samples from the private Sea Gate Beach in Brooklyn have shown elevated levels of bacteria related to the untreated sewer discharges from the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant that occurred last week. Elevated bacteria levels have not been found at the three Staten Island beaches where advisories were in place. However, the Health Department, in an abundance of caution, has closed these three beaches as well as Sea Gate in Brooklyn for swimming and bathing until this beach closing notice is lifted. Signs are being placed at the beach entrances to alert the public to the closure. The four beaches will remain closed for swimming and bathing until the Health Department has made a determination that it is safe to swim. The decision to close these beaches is based on review of both water flow through the harbor and evaluation of actual water samples taken in the harbor and at the shoreline. Alternative beaches, such as Coney Island Beach, Rockaway Beach, Orchard Beach, Manhattan Beach and Wolfe’s Pond Beach, remain open and unaffected based on current water quality modeling and sampling. Fifty-four outdoor pools are open for swimming as well. Call 311 to find the pool nearest to you.

DEP and the Health Department continue to take samples in the harbor and at permitted beaches that could potentially be impacted. For the most up-to-date information, go to the NYC Health website at www.nyc.gov/health, the DEP website at www.nyc.gov/dep, or call 311. Individuals can also receive proactive alerts by signing up through 311 for Notify NYC, the city’s official source for information about emergency events and important city services.