New Hampshire’s Beach Program to Start Coastal Water Sampling for 2009 Season
Concord, NH- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) announces the start of coastal beach sampling on May 26, 2009. Coastal beaches have been monitored since 1989 to ensure compliance with state water quality standards. The Coastal Beach Inspection Program monitors marine waters for the presence of the fecal bacteria Enterococci. Enterococci are known as indicator organisms, meaning their presence may indicate that pathogenic organisms are also present.
A beach advisory will be issued by the Beach Program staff when Enterococci levels exceed the state standard of 104 counts per 100 milliliters (mL) of water by greater than 70 counts in one sample, or when Enterococci levels exceed the state standard of 104 counts per 100 mL in two or more samples on one day. When a beach advisory is issued, the designated beach contact is notified and signs are placed at the entrances to the beach to alert the public to the potential health threat posed by water contact at the beach. Beach advisories remain in effect until subsequent beach sampling indicates safe water quality conditions.
Beach sample frequency is evaluated yearly based on beach history, microbial pathogen sources, and beach use.
| Beach | NH Town | Sampling Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | North Hampton | 2/week |
| Cable | Rye | 2/week |
| Foss | Rye | 1/week |
| Hampton Harbor | Hampton | 1/week |
| Hampton State Park | Hampton | 2/week |
| Jenness State Park | Rye | 2/week |
| New Castle | New Castle | 2/week |
| North Beach State Park | Hampton | 1/week |
| Northside Park | Hampton | 1/week |
| Pirates Cove | Rye | 2/week |
| Sawyer | Rye | 2/week |
| Seabrook Harbor | Seabrook | 2/week |
| Seabrook Town Beach | Seabrook | 2/week |
| State Beach | North Hampton | 2/week |
| Sun Valley | Hampton | 1/week |
| Wallis Sands State Park | Rye | 1/week |
Please visit us at, http://www2.des.state.nh.us/Advisories/Beaches/ or www.twitter.com/NHDES_Beaches for regularly updated beach advisories.
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