Release Date:  Wednesday, June 15, 2011 10:40 a.m.

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Chesapeake Bay between Rockbridge Road and Ocean View Avenue. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. The advisory does not affect the Virginia Beach oceanfront or resort area.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as Enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.

“The coastal waters of Virginia are generally very clean, and we test them weekly from May through September,” said Venita Newby-Owens, M.D., Director of the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health.  “On the occasions when waters fail to meet the standards, we need to protect public health by letting residents and visitors know.”

To see the Virginia Department of Health’s Swimming Advisory Map, click here http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/BeachMonitoring/beachadvisories/VirginiaBeachMap.htm