Potentially harmful bacteria found in beach waters of Captain’s Quarters in Ocean View

Norfolk health officials on Tuesday issued a swimming advisory for Captain’s Quarters Park in Ocean View after finding bacteria suggesting the presence of fecal matter in the water.

The Norfolk Department of Public Health tested the water off the Captain’s Quarters beach, which is in the eastern part of Willoughby Bay, Monday and found elevated levels of enterococci bacteria that exceeded the state’s water quality standards. Enterococci is an indicator of fecal contamination, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Signs have been posted in the area of the contamination to alert the public, according to the Virginia Department of Public Health. The signs will be removed when the bacteria decreases to a safe level.

“While enterococci bacteria do not generally cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms,” the NDPH said in a news release. “People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the state standards have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.”

Norfolk health officials will be collecting samples of local waterways throughout the swimming season which ends in mid-September.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com