6 North Shore beaches closed to swimming due to elevated bacteria levels

BEVERLY, Mass. — Six beaches on the North Shore of Massachusetts have been closed to swimming due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water, officials said.

Dane Street, Brackenbury Beach, Independence Park, Mingo Beach, Obear Park, Rice’s Beach in Beverly will be closed this weekend, according to a notice posted on the town’s website.

“Please be advised that the following beaches are closed for swimming due to bacterial exceedance in the water,” the town wrote.

Local health officials called for signs at the beaches indicating that swimming is “unsafe and may cause illness” following water quality testing.

The next testing at the beaches will not occur until next week.

Most swim-related illnesses are associated with disease-causing organisms (pathogens) that are linked to fecal contamination, according to state environmental officials.

Over 1,100 public and semi-public beaches in Massachusetts are monitored for the organisms.

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