DNREC issues water advisory due to medical waste on beaches

Swimming in the ocean is not suggested as beach cities clean up medical waste that washed ashore. (Photo from City of Rehoboth Beach)

A state agency has issued an official recreational water advisory following the closure of several beaches due to medical waste, including needles, washing up on the shoreline.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control‘s advisory was announced Tuesday and is for Delaware coastal beaches.

It is in effect for one week.

Beach access in the City of Rehoboth Beach will remain open, but swimming and wading in the
ocean are not advised.

The Rehoboth Beach Patrol, whose lifeguards are on duty in limited areas through this weekend, is prohibiting access to the ocean due to rough surf conditions as well.

Visitors to the beach should wear closed-toe shoes while medical debris continues to come ashore.

The City of Rehoboth Beach and DNREC continue to monitor the situation, and the city is currently raking the beach
twice daily to dispose of any medical debris that comes ashore.

To read the full advisory, click here.

Jarek Rutz

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.

Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.