STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Two Staten Island beaches are under water quality advisories as of Saturday, May 24.
According to the City’s Health Department, an advisory warning means the water may not be safe for swimming. This warning is issued when there is heavy rainfall, when water tests show unsafe levels of bacteria, or when a survey finds pollution, such as garbage, medical waste, toxic chemicals, oil, sewage, or wastewater.
Two local beaches flagged
Today, Midland Beach and South Beach are under advisories because of bacteria in the water. Swimming and wading are not recommended.
According to New York State Sanitary code and New York City health code, a single sample of saline water can’t have more than 104 enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. For freshwater, the limit is 61 enterococci per 100 milliliters. Also, if the water is tested five or more times over 30 days, the average must be 35 or fewer enterococci per 100 milliliters in saltwater, and 33 or fewer per 100 milliliters in freshwater…