Beach Swim Guide

To swim or not to swim? Use the swim guide from Memorial Day to Labor Day to check whether the water at your favorite Anne Arundel County beach meets acceptable bacteria-level standards for swimmers as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Department of the Environment and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Due to bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms that are contained in natural bodies of water, there is some risk from swimming in them.

Preemptive Rainfall Advisory 
After rainfall of 1/2 inch or more, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for at least 48 hours due to predicted elevated bacteria levels from rainwater runoff and increased health risks. Do not swim in cloudy, murky water. During the summer swim season, the Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program will resume its routine sampling following the 48-hour period.
Warning! 
The Department of Health warns against swimming to any individual who has an ear infection, a perforated eardrum, open cuts, scratches or skin lesions, or a compromised immune system. Do not swim in water areas where there is a fish kill or where there are any dead animals.

Recreational Water Quality is tested from Memorial Day to Labor Day.