Mississippi DEQ Issues Beach Water Contact Advisories

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued four new beach water contact advisories due to high bacteria levels. These advisories indicate a potential increased risk of illness for swimmers, though the beaches remain open. Advisories will be lifted once bacteria levels return to safe limits.

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What changed

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has issued four new beach water contact advisories for specific sections of Bay St. Louis Beach, Pass Christian West Beach, Pass Christian Central Beach, and Pass Christian East Beach. These advisories are a result of elevated bacteria levels detected in water samples, which may pose an increased risk of illness to individuals engaging in water contact activities. Two existing advisories for Long Beach Beach and Biloxi East Central Beach remain in effect.

While the beaches are not closed, the public is cautioned about the potential health risks. The MDEQ will lift these advisories once subsequent water samples indicate that bacteria levels have returned to safe standards. The agency also reminds the public of the standing recommendation to avoid swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall. Interested parties can subscribe to receive advisories directly via text message or by following the MDEQ on Twitter.

What to do next

Review current beach advisories issued by MDEQ.
Communicate advisories to relevant stakeholders and the public as necessary.
Monitor MDEQ updates for lifting of advisories.

Source document (simplified)

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

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:

· Bay St. Louis Beach — the affected area is from Box Culvert eastward to Ballantine St.. (Station 4)

· Pass Christian West Beach — the affected area is from Fort Henry Ave eastward to Elliot St.. (Station 5)

· Pass Christian Central Beach — the affected area is from Henderson Ave eastward to Hiern Ave. (Station 6)

· Pass Christian East Beach — the affected area is from Espy Ave eastward to Hayden Ave. (Station 7)

Advisories are still in effect for:

· Long Beach Beach — the affected is from Oak Gardens eastward to Girard. (Station 7A)

· Biloxi East Central Beach — the affected area is from St. Peter St. east to Dukate Street. (Station 12B)

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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