Water Testing

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How does a beach get closed?

At a freshwater beach, an advisory is posted if either two or more samples collected at a beach exceed the state standard of 88 counts of E. coli per 100 milliliters (ml) of water OR when one sample exceeds 158 counts of E. coli per 100 ml of water.

Beach managers may use their own discretion to actively close a beach to the public. They may place barriers at the entrances or post signs indicating the closure. The municipality must notify the Beach Program of their intentions to close a particular beach.

How does NHDES follow-up on beach advisories?

The Beach Program will immediately resample all beaches upon issuing an advisory. Once it has been determined that the bacteria concentration is within the state standard, the advisory signs will be removed from the beach area.

What does it mean if I see a green NHDES sign at a beach?

A GREEN sign indicates that the particular beach or section of beach is monitored during the swim season by the NHDES Beach Program for bacteria levels. The bacteria level in the water collected during the most recent inspection are not elevated above the state bacteria standards.

What does it mean if I see a YELLOW NHDES sign at a beach?

A YELLOW sign indicates an advisory has been issued for the beach or section of beach due to levels of bacteria above the state standard. Contact with the water is not recommended. When fecal bacteria levels are elevated, more disease-causing organisms are likely to be in the water.

What does it mean if I see a RED NHDES sign at a beach?

A RED sign indicates an advisory has been issued for the beach or section of beach due to elevated amounts of cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae) have been found at the beach or section of beach. Signs are available free of charge for beaches participating in the NHDES Beach Inspection Program.

NH State Beach Advisories click on the below link:

http://www4.des.state.nh.us/WaterShed_BeachMaps/WaterShed_BeachMaps.aspx