Virginia Beach Ocean Bacteria & Illness (Chesapeake, Newport News: oceanfront, closing, live)

[Tenbabytoes]

Several times this summer our beaches have been shut down due to high levels of bacteria. Marine life seems to be affected by something, as well. what are your thoughts regarding such a huge body of water with such movement?

[Babe_Ruth]

Originally Posted by Tenbabytoes

our beaches have been shut down due to high levels of bacteria. Marine life seems to be affected by something, as well. what are your thoughts..

(hi).. If I'm remembering right, the VB Oceanfront closings (in August), ran from 22nd St up to the North End. And then were later trimmed down to 22nd thru 37th St (?)
The highest concentration of bacteria was found right in the heart of the concentrated tourist spots. Lay speculation on my part, my guess is tourists using the water as a toilet may be the primary cause. I've heard ppl saying dog waste could also be contributing (fair enough); but in my experience most of the dog walking seems to happen in the residential blocks north of the Cavalier. They may be partially responsible for issues north of 40th, but the closures in the 20s & 30s says people waste to me.

Maybe someone with more knowledge could expound on, or correct, my assumptions (?)

[artistatheart]

I agree that the areas that they are closing seem to be concentrated and that it's not an indication of a larger problem (the Chesapeake Bay beaches at the Eastern Shore, for example, during the same period were relatively free of bacteria--if it was a systemic problem, I think the contamination would be more widespread into even the Bay areas).

We've lived in the area (Newport News) for five plus years and we go to the ocean a lot. We abide by the closings and don't swim there if there's an advisory. The one time they seemed to be "off" was once a few years ago when a portion of the oceanfront had been closed during the week, but reopened for the weekend (maybe due to pressure to keep things moving during tourist season). The water stunk to high heaven and there was a gross orangy-yellow foam on the waves. We didn't stick around and wonder if it would make us sick or not--we just left and went to the aquarium.

Other than that, I think they do a pretty good job monitoring things around here, and I mostly trust in their decisions.

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Other than that, I think they do a pretty good job monitoring things around here, and I mostly trust in their decisions.

I swam at the VA Beach oceanfront for the first time last year in many years. After bathing I had the most repulsive smell of dead fish on me. My suit took several washes for it to go away.

We had a discussion a while back about bacteria levels around here, and although the stats were fairly good overall, I'm not convinced they are accurate.

While I have no evidence to back this particular feeling up (at least not yet) something, pardon the pun, is fishy in VA Beach.

I really don't trust the results being published.