Bathing Beach Sampling
The following table contains the current status of Cecil County Bathing Beaches and the dates samples were collected as of 9/1/2021. The bathing beach inspection season for 2021 is now closed.
Bathers should be aware that bacteria are always present in natural bathing waters.
Pass = low levels of bacteria present at time of sampling.
Fail = high levels of bacteria present at time of sampling which require issuing an advisory.
| Beach | May | June | July | August | Current Status |
| Holloway Beach | 5/3, 5/17 | 6/21 | 7/19 | 8/16 | Pass |
| Charlestown Manor | 5/3, 5/17, 5/24 | 6/1, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 | 7/6, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26 | 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 | Pass |
| Elk Neck State Park- Northeast River |
5/3, 5/17 | 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 | 7/6, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26 | 8/2, 8/9,8/16, 8/23, 8/30 | Pass |
| Elk Neck State Park- Elk River | 5/3, 5/17 | 6/28 | 8/2 | Pass | |
| Sandy Hill Camp | 5/3, 5/17 | 6/7 | 7/6, 7/12 | 8/2 | Pass |
| Hacks Point | 5/4 | 6/8, 6/22 | 7/7, 7/20 | 8/3, 8/17 | Pass |
| Buttonwood Beach | 5/4, 5/18 | 6/8, 6/22, 6/29 | 7/7, 7/20 | 8/3, 8/17 | Pass |
| Elkview Shores | 5/4, 5/18 | 6/8 | 7/7 | 8/3 | Pass |
| Crystal Beach | 5/4, 5/18 | 6/8, 6/22 | 7/7, 7/20 | 8/3, 8/17 | Pass |
| Grove Point Camp | 5/4, 5/18 | 6/8 | 7/7 | 8/3 | Pass |
| Indian Acres | 5/4, 5/18 | 6/22, 6/29 | 7/20 | 8/17 | Pass |
When an advisory is issued it is recommended that you not swim or wade in the water. Risk of illness comes from contacting beach water in several ways. These include ingesting natural water, getting water in the nose, eyes, and ears, or in an open wound. If one has an open wound on the lower legs or feet, it could become infected even from wading. It is important to note that sample results reflect the water conditions at a particular time and that surface waters are not bacteria free; water which is muddy or murky looking such as after a heavy rainfall is more likely to have higher levels of bacteria. Parents of young children should be especially cautious, since the children may be more vulnerable to infections from contaminated water, as well as more likely to swallow water when swimming or playing.