Mississippi DEQ Issues Beach Water Contact Advisories

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued beach water contact advisories for five beaches due to elevated bacteria levels. These advisories indicate an increased risk of illness associated with swimming, though the beaches remain open.

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What changed

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has issued beach water contact advisories for five specific locations across Waveland Beach, Bay St. Louis Beach, and Pass Christian Beaches. These advisories are issued when water samples indicate elevated bacteria levels, suggesting a potential increased risk of illness for swimmers. The beaches are not closed, but the advisories will remain in effect until subsequent sampling confirms bacteria levels are safe for contact.

Regulated entities and the public should be aware that swimming is not recommended during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall, a standing recommendation from the Beach Task Force. Consumers planning to visit these beaches should check for current advisory status before engaging in water contact activities. The MDEQ provides direct advisories via text message and Twitter updates.

What to do next

Monitor MDEQ advisories for affected beaches before recreational use.
Adhere to the standing recommendation to avoid swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

Source document (simplified)

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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, through its Beach Monitoring Program, has issued beach water contact advisories for five beaches.

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

ADVISORIES have been ISSUED for:

Waveland Beach — the affected area is from Oak Blvd. east to Favre St. (Station 3)
Bay St. Louis Beach — the affected area is from the Box Culvert east to Ballantine St. (Station 4)
Pass Christian West Beach — the affected area is from Fort Henry Ave. east to Elliot St. (Station 5)
Pass Christian Central Beach — the previously affected area is from Henderson Ave. east to Hiern Ave. (Station 6)
Pass Christian East Beach — the affected area is from Espy Ave. east to Hayden Ave. (Station 7) Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming should not occur during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

More information about the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program and the location of beach sampling stations is available here.

To be included in a public group list to receive beach advisories directly, text “MDEQbeach” to (833)259-4545 or follow MDEQ on Twitter: @MDEQ.

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