Jones Beach- Zach's Bay

Source Information

Monitoring in this area starts in mid April and results are available on the hotline Memorial Day weekend. The Nassau County Department of Health monitors water quality at beaches in this region from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are three "tiers" of beaches in Nassau County, NY. The more popular a beach is, the more strict the water quality standard will be. Tier I beaches will generally be sampled twice per week with a minimum of one sample per week. Tier II beaches will generally be sampled five times per thirty-day period with a minimum of one sample per week. Tier III beaches will be sampled a minimum of twice per 30-day period. Additional sampling is conducted if a beach exceeds water quality standards, if sanitary waste is discharged into the water, after a beach closure is lifted, and after a significant rain event. Results are recorded on the beach hotline: 516-227-9700 (Press 1) and a press release is issued by the county when advisories are issued. Swim Guide checks for the latest information daily during the monitoring season. A freshwater beach is marked Green test results show E. coli counts below 235 / 100 ml and when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected over a 30-day period is below 126 E.coli / 100ml. A marine beach is marked Green when a single sample of Enterococci are below 105 and when the geometric mean is below 35. A freshwater beach is marked Red when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml or when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected over a 30-day period exceeds 126 E. coli / 100 ml. A marine beach is marked Red when a single sample of Enterococci exceeds 105 or when the geometric mean exceeds 35. A beach is marked Grey when there is no recent or reliable monitoring information available.