Nine Sound Shore beaches reopened Thursday, Sept. 3, after a one-day closure for bacterial contamination, clearing the way for Bronxville-area residents heading to the water over Labor Day weekend.
The beaches in Mamaroneck, Rye and New Rochelle are among the closest shoreline options for Scarsdale, Bronxville and Eastchester families looking for a final summer swim.
The Westchester County Health Department closed the beaches Wednesday, Sept. 2, after 0.89 inches of rain fell in the prior 24 hours. The department warned that road runoff had washed bacteria into drainage outfalls near the shoreline.
The affected sites included Harbor Island Park, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club and Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club in Mamaroneck; Coveleigh Club in Rye; and Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Beach Club, Greentree Country Club and Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle.
News 12 Westchester reported Thursday that county officials confirmed the beaches had reopened. Under the county's rainfall thresholds, storms dropping more than half an inch trigger a one-day closure, according to MyRye.com. More than one inch means a two-day closure, and anything over two inches is evaluated case by case.
Because Wednesday's storm measured 0.89 inches, the one-day rule applied, and beaches were allowed to reopen on their own Thursday. That contrasts with the late-August closure, when the health department required water samples to meet quality standards before granting permission to reopen on Aug. 26.
That makes five closures this summer.
Earlier rounds came in mid-July after 1.8 inches of rain, in early August after 1.76 inches, in mid-August, and again starting Aug. 20 after 3.28 inches, according to Daily Voice. Contact with contaminated beach water can cause skin rashes, sore throats and diarrhea, according to health guidance cited in earlier Daily Voice coverage.
Residents can check beach status on the Westchester County website or by calling beach management.
Upcoming community dates
- Tuesday, Sept. 8: Labor Day observed; Westchester County offices closed.
- Wednesday, Sept. 9: Bronxville Planning Board meets at Village Hall.
