(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, lifted a water contact advisory Wednesday for Station 12A (Biloxi West Central Beach). Water samples at this station show the area has attained acceptable bacteria levels. There are advisories still in effect for ten other stations.

The advisory is lifted for:

  • Station 12A — Biloxi West Central Beach — the extent is from Travia St. east to Iberville Dr.

MDEQ encourages the public to contact local authorities to determine the status of beach openings as outlined in Governor Tate Reeves’ Executive Order 1473. The order also requires that beach visitors maintain social distancing. Social distancing information has been provided by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Find it here.

Advisories remain in effect for:

  • Station 1 — Lakeshore Beach (Bay St. Louis) — the extent is from the Silver Slipper Casino east to Pointset Ave.
  • Station 4 — Bay St. Louis Beach — the extent is from the Box Culvert east to Ballantine St.
  • Station 5 — Pass Christian West Beach — the extent is from Fort Henry Ave. east to Elliot St.
  • Station 6 — Pass Christian Central Beach — the extent is from Henderson Ave. east to Hiern Ave.
  • Station 7 — Pass Christian East Beach — the extent is from Espy Ave. east to Hayden Ave.
  • Station 07A — Long Beach — the extent is from Oak Gardens east to Girard Ave.
  • Station 8 — Gulfport West Beach — the extent is from Marie Ave. east to Camp Ave.
  • Station 9 — Gulfport Harbor Beach — the extent is from 20th Ave. east to Thornton Ave.
  • Station 10 — Gulfport Central Beach — the extent is from Alfonso Dr. east to Arkansas Ave.
  • Station 15 — Shearwater Beach (Ocean Springs) — the extent is from Weeks Bayou east to Ashley Place.

These segments of beach are not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in these areas. When water samples show that levels are safe for human contact, the advisories will be lifted.

Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming not occur during or within 24 hours of a significant rainfall event.

More information about the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program and the location of beach sampling stations is available at: http://opcgis.deq.state.ms.us/beaches. To receive beach advisories directly, send an email to Robbie Wilbur for inclusion in a public group email list, text “MDEQbeach” to 95577, and follow MDEQ on Twitter: @MDEQ.

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