Mississippi DEQ Issues Beach Water Advisories

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has issued three new beach water contact advisories and lifted one. These advisories indicate an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in the affected areas, though the beaches are not closed.

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What changed

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has issued new beach water contact advisories for Lakeshore Beach, Long Beach Beach, and Gulfport West Beach due to elevated bacteria levels. An advisory was lifted for Waveland Beach. These advisories are issued by the MDEQ's Beach Monitoring Program and indicate a potential increased risk of illness, though the beaches remain open.

Public health authorities recommend that swimmers avoid swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall. The MDEQ provides direct advisories via text message and Twitter. Regulated entities and the public should monitor the MDEQ website for updates on beach conditions and advisory status.

What to do next

Monitor MDEQ beach advisories for affected areas
Advise the public 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 three beach water contact advisories and lifted one.
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:
· Lakeshore Beach — the affected area is from Silver Slipper Casino eastward to Pointset Ave. (Station 1)
· Long Beach Beach — the affected area is from Oak Gardens eastward to Girard. (Station 7A)
· Gulfport West Beach — the affected area is from Marie Ave eastward to Camp Ave. (Station 8)

An advisory has been LIFTED for:
· Waveland Beach — the affected area is from Oak Blvd. east to Favre St. (Station 3)

Advisories are STILL in effect 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)

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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