The Rhode Island Department of Health called for the closure of Barrington Beach in an announcement late Tuesday afternoon, July 21.
According to a RI Department of Health email, high bacteria …
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The Rhode Island Department of Health called for the closure of Barrington Beach in an announcement late Tuesday afternoon, July 21.
According to a RI Department of Health email, high bacteria levels were detected at Barrington Beach. The news arrived late for a number of beachgoers on Tuesday — a crowd of people visited the town beach throughout the day on Tuesday. In fact, heavy traffic forced beach management to close the beach to non-residents early in the day.
Some people at the beach were also seen taking clams. Three women digging quahogs on the eastern end of the beach were spotted taking large bags loaded with the hardshell clams. It was the third day in the last week that the women had been to Barrington Beach digging quahogs. (The hard shell clams are extremely efficient filter feeders; they are known to filter about a gallon of water each hour.)
The Rhode Island Department of Health will continue to monitor and review beach water quality regularly to ensure safe swimming throughout the summer. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH's beaches telephone line (401-222-2751).
In addition to closing Barrington Beach, DOH officials also closed Scarborough Beach-South on Tuesday.
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