City Closes Part of West Beach Due to Elevated Bacteria Levels

NEW BEDFORD — Elevated bacteria levels have again temporarily closed beach areas in New Bedford.

The New Bedford Health Department has announced Thursday that part of West has been closed to swimming today due to elevated bacteria levels.  The City says the part of the beach running south of the pavilion will be closed to the public.

The water at all New Bedford beaches will be tested daily until acceptable water quality levels are obtained and swimming can resume at all sections. Further updates regarding openings and closures will be made as water quality results are received.

The City closed all beaches on July 24 due to elevated bacteria levels that came as the result of a powerful rain storm that swept through the area the night before.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Research and Policy Center released a report that found levels of fecal bacteria were above the “Beach Action Value” threshold set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were detected at least once at 223 locations in 2018.