A water advisory for Rehoboth Beach has been lifted. Delaware’s water monitoring agency issued the advisory Thursday because of high bacteria levels.
The bacteria itself is not dangerous, but it indicates the presence of animal feces.
The advisory is not an indication of larger-scale pollution, according to Michael Bot, an environmental scientist with the State of Delaware.
“You know it could be as much as wildlife came by the area and you just happened to test at the right time. Or with storm water it could be very localized with runoff from that specific contaminant.”
State scientists tested water from Cape Henlopen State Park to Fenwick Island and found bacteria levels well below the level of concern.
The fecal contamination was most likely caused by a high concentration of wildlife and pets, according to Bot.
There are no sources of human sewage contamination in Delaware’s water.
Swimming in an water contaminated by human sewage can increase your risk of of gastrointestinal illnesses. That risk is estimated to be lower in waters contaminated by wildlife and pets.
