Recreational Water Quality

See Current Advisories Below

After rainfall, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for 48 hours, due to predicted high bacteria levels. (preemptive advisory)

The Department of Health issues advisories against recreational use of water areas when a sewage spill, leak or other problem indicates that human waste is in the water. Current closings and advisories are listed below. Lab results from collected water samples take at least two working days to process. Closings and advisories remain in effect until results meet acceptable levels. Acceptable levels are determined by the State, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.






The Department of Health has ordered recent closings,
issued advisories or conducted assessments
for the following County waterways:

January 6, 2012 - SANTEE BASIN UPDATE
On December 2, 2011, the Department of Health reopened the Santee Basin on the Severn River in Annapolis. The basin, located on U.S. Naval Academy property, was closed on November 18 due to sewage leaks. As of January 6, 2012, Naval Support completed repairs on the damaged sewer line, and water and sewer service were restored.

December 28, 2011 - January 4, 2012 - WARNING FOR SECTION OF BEARDS CREEK IN RIVA

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health issued a warning against direct water contact for a section of Beards Creek in Riva between Hoot Owl Road and Berkshire Drive. The warning, in effect from December 28, 2011 through January 4, 2012, was due to a sewage spill caused by a sewer line blockage. Approximately 2,000 gallons of sewage entered a small portion of Beards Creek on December 28. The health risk was considered minimal due to the time of the year and few winter swimming activities.

2012
Furnace Creek (Glen Burnie) limited use advisory *
Marley Creek (Glen Burnie) limited use advisory *
Rock Creek (Pasadena) limited use advisory* from the headwaters to Valley Road, Wall Cove and White's Cove

*Limited use water contact advisory due to consistently high bacteria levels. The Department of Health advises against swimming, water skiing and other direct water contact due to possible health risks associated with high bacteria levels. There is no restriction on catching fish or crabs. There is no restriction on general boating activities. For more information call the Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program at 410-222-7241.


Popular Sandy Point Beaches Receive High Ratings
National Report Recognizes Good Public Notification and Water Quality
In the 2010 report, "Testing the Waters," the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) rated 200 of the most popular U.S. beaches, including two public Anne Arundel County beaches. The beaches, Sandy Point State Park's East Beach and South Beach, each received four out of five stars. Factors that contributed to the ratings included good water quality over the past three years as well as quick and effective notification of the public if water quality was below acceptable standards. The Department of Health was recognized for promptly posting water quality information both online and at the beach. See the NRDC Ratings for a Selection of U.S. Popular Beaches.

Anne Arundel County Recognized for Exemplary Public Notification Program
In a 2007 report, "What's In Your Water? The State of Public Notification in 11 U.S. States," American Rivers recognized the County Department of Health's e-mail alerts, Web site and telephone hotline as important sources of information for the public. The report calls Anne Arundel County's notification program "exemplary" and a model for other counties in distributing information about beach closures and sewage spills. See page 29 of "What's In Your Water?"

Back to Recreational Water Quality