UPDATE: Recreational swimming lifted in Rehoboth Beach

8/21 UPDATE: DNREC officials have lifted the swimming advisory that was issued for Rehoboth Beach on Thursday.

We’re told water quality tests were taken on Thursday and results showed that bacteria levels had returned below the advisory level.

———

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has issued a recreational swimming advisory for Rehoboth Beach at Rehoboth Avenue.

We’re told the advisory comes after elevated levels of bacteria were found in a sample taken on Wednesday. Elevated levels of bacteria at Rehoboth Avenue are often associated with heavy rainfall, as occurred in the area Wednesday morning. Officials say these bacteria originate in the gut of warm-blooded animals, such as wildlife and domestic pets, and indicator bacteria from these sources washes into near-shore waters during periods of heavy rainfall.

Another water sample has been collected, and we’re told results will be available Friday afternoon, at which point a decision will be made whether to lift the swimming advisory or extend it.