Nearly 20 beaches have been shut down while an "excessive" amount of bacteria plagues the waters, with the public warned "don't swim". The US Department of Public Health (DPH) warned they discovered 16 beaches in Massachusetts were unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels, exceeding acceptable limits. The Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard on Tuesday found two other beaches were also closed because of harmful algae blooms or other reasons, taking the total number of closed beaches to 18.
The Mass.gov dashboard said: "[The dashboard] will tell you which beaches are open or closed. If a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness.
" The DPH added anyone swimming in the "unsafe waters" could be subject to health issues including digestion, breathing and skin illnesses, as well as flu-like symptoms. Popular spots like Lynn Shore Beach, Wollaston Beach in Quincy, and Hopkinton Reservoir in Ashland are among the closed beaches, reports the It comes more than a week after the Department of Conservation and Recreation opened 81 state beaches for Memorial Day weekend. But it seems rain is to blame for the beach closures as this can cause bacteria levels in water to rise.
The department noted other reasons can include harmful algae blooms, malfunctioning septic systems, or animal waste contaminating the water. The beaches will be back up and running once bacteria levels drop back to safe levels, according to DPH, and locals wil.