Home > BART > Swimming
BART's On-Line Home Contact Information Project Clean Sweep Introduction to the Bay Common Narragansett Bay Concerns: Fishing Eating Fish Fish Kills Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Low Oxygen -- Hypoxia and Anoxia Monitoring and Investigation Procedures Reports from Prior Incidents		BAY ASSESSMENT & RESPONSE TEAM - BART Bay Line: 222-8888 (May 15 to Oct. 15) Swimming at RI Beaches Rhode Island is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Northeast. Facilities are generously spaced along the coastline, and each has attractions of its own. Some areas, though, are also vulnerable to pollution, particularly in the dog days of summer when water temperatures rise and downpours stress the watershed. Both harmful and harmless bacteria drain from streets and lawns into the Bay. Sources of this bacteria include failing septic systems and wildlife and pet waste. In cooperation with RI cities and town and DEM, the RI Department of Health monitors beaches in the state and bars swimming when health risks become unacceptable. What should I do? Follow common-sense precautions: Check and honor current beach advisories and closures on-line or from a recorded message at the RI Department of Health: 222-2751 If you experience illness that may be related to swimming, seek medical assistance Support efforts to improve water quality in the Bay (See "Introduction to Narragansett Bay") More information on-line Rhode Island Beaches (Visit RI) RI State Parks and Beaches (RI DEM) Popular RI Beaches and Parks (Vkart Photography) Bathing Beaches Monitoring Program (RI Dept. of Health) Current Advisories and Closures (RI Dept. of Health) BEACON - Beach Advisory and Closing On-line Notification, RI Counties (EPA) Healthy Swimming (CDC) with fact sheets (e.g.,; "Swimmer's Itch") Fact Sheets for Beach Goers (RI Dept. of Health) Beachgoer's Guide (EPA)

---

For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer
rev. 11/20/06