Hello and Welcome to Operation Clearwater!
Memorial Day weekend is off to a great start! All beaches exhibited bacteria levels that were within acceptable levels for recreational water activities.
However, please keep in mind that samples were collected on Wednesday, prior to the large rainstorm on Thursday that dropped almost 0.5 inches of rain within about an hour. The precipitation washes pollutants from the surrounding watershed into the waterways and may increase bacteria levels of the water.
Anne Arundel County has a 48 hour no swimming/recreational guidance of water ways after a rain event.
On Wednesday, May 22nd, Arundel Rivers Federation staff collected water samples at the locations listed on the chart. Feces from geese and dogs, as well as leaky septic tanks are the top contributors to high bacteria results. The acceptable concentration of Enterococci bacteria for swimming and other direct water contact is less than 104 (cfu) colony forming units/100ml.
Have a safe and wonderful weekend,
Jesse Iliff, South Riverkeeper
Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper
Arundel Rivers Federation, Edgewater, MD