Beaches

Beach Surveillance

To protect the public's health and safety, the Stratford Health Department staff collect water samples from Stratford's beaches weekly from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Samples are then sent to the State laboratory for analysis. If elevated levels of bacteria are detected in the water samples an advisory is issued to warn beach-goers against entering the water, and swimming is prohibited until further testing indicates that the problem has been corrected. In addition to banning swimming when laboratory tests indicate unacceptably high bacteria counts, the Health Department introduced a policy several years ago whereby swimming is automatically prohibited for a minimum of 24 hours following a rainfall that exceeds 1 inch, and 48 hours or more following rainfall of 2 inches or greater.

The public can learn about the status of our beaches by calling the Stratford Health Department Stratford Health Department at (203) 385-4090, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm or the Recreation Department at (203) 385-4052, Monday through Saturday between the hours of 9:00 am –2:00 pm. ORecreation Department at (203) 385-4052, Monday through Saturday between the hours of 9:00 am –2:00 pm. On Sundays, the public can call the Recreation Department’s answering machine at (203) 385-4129n Sundays, the public can call the Recreation Department’s answering machine at (203) 385-4129 for a taped message about beaches closures. Beach closures are also routinely publicized on the WICC radio station, the Stratford Health Department's Facebook page.

Skin Cancer

Beach Closure Policy

Stratford, Connecticut--Summer has arrived, bringing sunshine, warmer temperatures and plenty of beachgoers to Stratford's shorelines. It is also a busy time for staff at the Stratford Health Department, who have already begun conducting their seasonal water sampling program and weekly inspections at Short Beach and Long Beach facilities.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Health Department staff collect water samples on Monday mornings and submit them to the Connecticut Department of Public Health for laboratory analysis. If elevated levels of bacteria are detected, an advisory is issued to warn beachgoers against entering the water. Swimming is prohibited until further testing is completed which indicates that bacteria levels have returned to acceptable levels. In addition, the Health Department introduced a policy in 1998 that automatically prohibits swimming for a minimum of 24 hours if rainfall exceeds one inch, and a minimum of 48 hours or more following rainfall of 2 inches or more. Rain gauge readings at the Water Pollution Control Facility are taken to determine levels of rainfall. For more severe rainstorms, it can take two days or longer before bacterial counts drop to an acceptable level. Many coastal towns have similar beach closure policies.

Tidal current change promotes rapid cleansing of waters following extreme rainfall or other conditions that can cause excessive bacterial contamination.

Elevated bacterial levels in bathing areas can cause health problems, including skin irritations, and gastrointestinal illnesses from ingesting contaminated water. While the public may still visit the shoreline and use the beach areas for recreation when an advisory is in effect, people should not enter the water. Signs will be prominently displayed at the entrance to the beaches and beach-goers should abide by them at all times. Local lifeguards will be enforcing swimming bans.

In addition, the Health Department notifies private beach associations of swimming advisories so that they may inform members of any risks.