Water Quality Report

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.

EPA Acceptable Level

The acceptable level for swimming and other direct water contact is determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Department of the Environment and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. For bodies of water that the Department samples, the acceptable level of enterococci bacteria is 104 or fewer bacteria colonies per 100 milliliters of water. See Water Quality Fact Sheet.

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



Key:

  - These samples were collected after rainfall less than a 1/2 inch which may cause high counts 

  - Location being resampled to verify and assess the high bacteria counts. An advisory may be issued when results do not meet acceptable levels for two consecutive collections. 

  - An advisory against swimming and other direct water contact has been issued due to a high enterococci count or due to known source of pollution from hazardous debris.

Water Quality Report Archives


  • Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Arundel on the Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    18
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Bay Ridge at Bay Drive
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Bay Ridge at Lake Ogleton
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Bay Ridge at River Drive
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Beverly Triton Nature Park
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    10
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Cape St. Claire at Persimmon Point
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Cedarhurst on the Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    7
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Fairhaven
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    92
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Franklin Manor
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    36
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Herrington Harbor South
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    71
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Highland Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    7
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Oyster Harbor
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    28
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sandy Point (East Beach)
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    22
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sandy Point (Middle Beach)
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sandy Point (South Beach)
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Saunders Point
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    8
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Magothy River

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Bayberry
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Camp Whipporwhill
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Cape Arthur
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Cape St. Claire at Lake Claire
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Hunters Harbor
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Magothy Manor
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Moorings on the Magothy
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    10
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Mountain Point at Gibson Island
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    28
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • North Shore
    Date Sample Taken
    06/05/2019
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    54
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Shore Acres
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    3
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sylvan View
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Tar Cove at Sillery Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    6
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Twin Harbors
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    15
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Upper Magothy Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Monthly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Patapsco River

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Atlantic Marina Resort
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    5
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Bayside Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    128
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Ft. Smallwood Park
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    10
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Venice on the Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    79
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Rhode River

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Camp Wabanna
    Date Sample Taken
    08/14/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    15
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Ponder Cove
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    5
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • YMCA Camp Letts
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Annapolis Sailing
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Arden on the Severn at Oakview
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Arden on the Severn at Pullen
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Arden on the Severn at Shore End
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Arden on the Severn at Valentine Creek
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Carrollton Manor on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    28
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Colchester on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    5
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Epping Forest
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Herald Harbor
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Hollywood on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Linstead on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    50
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Olde Severna Park
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Palisades on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Pines on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Round Bay at Round Bay Road
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Round Bay Main Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    3
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sherwood Forest Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sherwood Forest Pier
    Date Sample Taken
    08/30/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • West Severna Park
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Whitneys Landing
    Date Sample Taken
    08/22/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Winchester on the Severn
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Cape St. John
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Chestnut Hills
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    6
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Edgewater Beach Sunny Section
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    25
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Glebe Heights
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Monthly
    Enterococci Count
    27
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Glen Isle
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    5
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Hillsmere Shores
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    14
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Loch Haven Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Londontown at Arundel
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Londontown at Delmar
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Londontown at Highland
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Londontown at Midland
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Londontown at Silver Run
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Mayo Beach Park
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Weekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Selby on the Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • South River Heights
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    2
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Turkey Point at Selby Bay
    Date Sample Taken
    08/28/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    5
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Stoney Creek

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Elizabeths Landing
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Sunset Beach
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    1
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Weems Creek

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Admiral Heights
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    6
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • West River

    Location
    Date Sample Taken
    Frequency of Samples
    Enterococci Count
    EPA Acceptable Level
  • Avalon Shores
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    14
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • West River Methodist Camp
    Date Sample Taken
    08/23/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Biweekly
    Enterococci Count
    17
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104
  • Westelee
    Date Sample Taken
    08/29/2023
    Frequency of Samples
    Monthly
    Enterococci Count
    4
    EPA Acceptable Level
    104

The Department also operates a 24 hour automated test results phone line at 410-222-7999. For information on the sampling program, call the Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program at 410-222-7241.

More information can be found at Maryland Healthy Beaches.