The Oregon Health Authority lifted a public health advisory for the ocean water at Sunset Bay State Park Beach in Coos County on October 2, after follow-up water tests showed bacterial levels had returned to normal.
The health authority issued the advisory on September 30 after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in the ocean. Results from follow-up tests conducted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality showed lower bacteria levels, the agency said.
Officals still recommend staying out of large pools of water on the beach that are frequented by birds and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.
Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and report on elevated fecal bacteria levels to the public. The program involves the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.