East Beach in New Bedford reopened to swimming

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The New Bedford Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches reopened East Beach to swimming today, Wednesday, August 28, 2019. The beach had been closed for a portion of Tuesday, August 27 and Wednesday, August 28, due to a reported oil sheen in the area of East Beach.

The New Bedford Fire Department along with other municipal, state, and federal authorities responded to the report. The reported leak was determined to be diesel fuel; there is no fuel or oil detectable in the area of East Beach as of today, August 28, 2019.

The state and federal government require the monitoring of water quality at public beaches during the bathing season. The New Bedford Health Department monitors the quality at New Bedford’s public beaches throughout the summer.

City health officials will continue to monitor the water quality at all municipal beaches for any significant changes.

For more information on this topic, visit the New Bedford Health Department Municipal Marine Laboratory Page: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/health-department/municipal-marine-lab/.