The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach and the Joseph F. William Memorial Park Beach, both located in the Town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Health Department monitors water at public beaches routinely and closes swimming when bacteria levels exceed acceptable standards. The Health Department will continue to test daily until the samples show acceptable levels and will notify the public when the beaches are reopened for swimming. Please note that although closed for swimming, the parks’ other amenities remain open during normal hours of operation.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or can cause brief diarrhea. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

For information about beach swimming safety visit:
Beach Water Quality Information (NYSDOH): http://ny.healthinspections.us/ny_beaches/faq.cfm
Healthy Swimming: Oceans, Lakes, & Rivers (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/oceans-lakes-rivers/index.html