Water Quality Warnings Issued At 4 Anne Arundel County Beaches
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Anne Arundel County is warning people not to go in the water at four swimming beaches.
Mike Schuh has details.
The water may look beautiful at Cape St. Clair, but it has eight times the federally allowed level for the enterococci bacteria.
"It could be animal waste and areas where waterfowl waste get into the water," said Jerry Zitnik, Anne Arundel County Health Department.
During all of last year, the county had four instances of bacteria so high you were told not to touch the water. Just this past week alone there were four warnings issued.
Lake Claire at Cape St. Clair is the only inland body of water. The other three are along the bay.
The other sites beaches are at Herald Harbor in Crownsville, Glen Isle in Riva and Magothy Manor in Arnold.
The bacteria in question is not harmful, but it's an indicator that other, more dangerous bacteria are probably present.
"But it indicates yes we could have a problem easy to test for in the lab," Zitnik said.
Technically, these beaches aren't closed to the county. A closure means sewage is in the water… call it what you will, when you're told not to touch the water or swim in it.
"Is it possible this water will make you sick? Yes, it could," Zitnik said.
New samples will be returned Friday, so the health department says, if the situation improves, some of those beaches could be reopened by the weekend.
