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Massachusetts Beaches Closed Due to Bacteria
10 Jul
Summary
- 70 Massachusetts beaches are closed this weekend.
- High bacteria levels make swimming unsafe.
- Closures have no set reopening time.
As of Friday, July 10, 2026, a significant number of Massachusetts beaches are closed to the public. A total of 70 beaches are currently inaccessible due to concerns over unsafe swimming water quality. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has issued warnings, indicating that swimming in these waters presents a risk of illness.
The primary reason for these closures is an exceedance of safe bacteria levels. Exposure to contaminated water can lead to various health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, sore throats, fever, and skin infections. Beaches will remain closed until water testing confirms that bacteria counts have returned to acceptable safety standards, meaning there is no predetermined reopening date.
The MDPH maintains a water quality dashboard that is updated regularly, allowing the public to check the status of individual beach closures. This resource provides the most current information regarding when these affected beaches might become safe for public use again.
