The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends re-opening Scarborough Beach - South and Barrington Town Beach for swimming because bacteria levels have returned to acceptable measures. Easton's Beach in Newport was re-opened earlier today.
RIDOH is also recommending the closure of five beaches for swimming. The high number of recent beach closures is because of cumulative rain in excess of two inches this week, on top of even heavier rain earlier this month. RIDOH is recommending closures at:
- Fort Adams Beach in Newport - Third Beach in Middletown - Peabody's Beach in Middletown - Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth - Dunes Park Beach in Westerly
These new closures are in addition to other beaches that are currently closed for swimming. Those beaches are:
- North Kingstown Town Beach - Saunderstown Yacht Club - Camp Grosvenor in Saunderstown - Bonnet Shores in Narragansett
RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality regularly to ensure safe bathing throughout the summer season. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH's beaches telephone line (401-222-2751), or at www.health.ri.gov/data/beaches