Bacteria levels force closing of Wading River beach

Don’t go swimming at Wading River Beach, the Suffolk County Health Department is warning.

The Riverhead Town park has been closed to swimmers after recent findings show higher-than-allowed levels of bacteria in the water at the beach, said Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken.

Dr. Tomarken said bathing in contaminated water could lead to “gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.” 

Riverhead Recreation Department director Ray Coyne said the beaches were already closed (the town shuts them down after Labor Day). Mr. Coyne said the Town was informed yesterday to make sure swimmers avoided the water.

This is the first time the beach has been closed in recent years, he said.