Status and Trends: LISS Environmental Indicators
Beach Closure Days
Source: CT DEEP and NYS Dept of Health
| Pathogen Caused Beach Closure Days | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CT | NY | NYC | |
| 1993 | 60 | 104 | |
| 1994 | 42 | 108 | |
| 1995 | 72 | 230 | |
| 1996 | 188 | 249 | |
| 1997 | 37 | 336 | |
| 1998 | 191 | 94 | |
| 1999 | 113 | 22 | |
| 2000 | 148 | 69 | |
| 2001 | 79 | 136 | |
| 2002 | 57 | 277 | |
| 2003 | 222 | 380 | |
| 2004 | 183 | 414 | |
| 2005 | 140 | 310 | |
| 2006 | 222 | 714 | 53 |
| 2007 | 108 | 704 | 47 |
| 2008 | 135 | 691 | 125 |
| 2009 | 108 | 887 | 141 |
| 2010 | 143 | 343 | 91 |
| NY data does not include NYC beaches | |||
What are beach closure days?
Pathogens are disease-causing organisms, including bacteria and viruses. Beach closure days are the number of days beaches are closed in a year due to the threat of pathogen-related contamination. Beaches can be closed due to elevated pathogen abundance. They also can be closed preemptively during times when high rainfall may cause runoff of animal waste or discharge of untreated sewage. There are 193 monitored beaches along Long Island Sound’s shoreline (66 in Connecticut and 137 in New York) that provide valued recreational opportunities. Yearly variations in closures are a product of rainfall patterns and incidents such as sewer-line ruptures.
what does this indicate?
This indicator reflects the ongoing problems with pathogen contamination of Long Island Sound beaches and the economic cost of coastal pollution. Closed beaches prevent people from being able to fully enjoy the Long Island Sound shoreline.
status
The high incidents of closures in New York in 2009 were attributed to heavy rainfall. Some health departments also indicate that beach closures have increased since the mid-2000s adoption of a new test for bacterial pathogens for marine waters (the enterococcus standard). New York City beaches were added to this indicator in 2006.
Data Notes
New York data (NY) includes Long Island Sound beaches in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester. New York City (NYC) beaches in Long Island Sound were added to this indicator in 2006.