REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - After nearly 24 hours, DNREC and the City of Rehoboth Beach has lifted its swimming advisory in Rehoboth Beach.
DNREC issued a recreational water advisory July 3 after finding elevated levels of bacteria in a water sample taken at Rehoboth Avenue.
According to DNREC, testing results showed enterococcus levels were below the recreational water standard. A single sample measured 81 colony forming units per 100 milliliters—below the 104 cfu/100mL threshold. DNREC says the 30-day average was also within safe limits at 30, compared to the standard of 35.
While the beach remained open for use, DNREC cautioned swimmers to avoid long periods of time in the water, along with submerging their heads. While the City of Rehoboth Beach says most people will not get sick, children, adults over 65 and individuals with weaker immune systems are more at risk in instances like these.
Officials say elevated levels of bacteria can be associated with heavy rain episodes like the ones experienced earlier this week. Stormwater can collect from animal and wildlife waste as well.