Rye is home to six of Westchester County's nine highest-rated Long Island Sound beaches, according to Save the Sound's latest water quality report. But there's a catch: after heavy rain, two of the city's most popular beaches fail water-quality tests about one out of every four times.
The findings, which cover the 2025 swimming season, paint a tale of two shorelines. Decades of work have dramatically improved water quality on dry days, but stormwater runoff continues to send bacteria levels soaring after rain.
Rye's beach report card
Six Rye beaches earned B- grades or better, more than any other Westchester community.
- A+: Shenorock Shore Club, American Yacht Club
- B: Westchester Country Club, Playland Beach
- B-: Manursing Island Club, Rye Town Park's Oakland Beach
- C: Coveleigh Club
Shenorock Shore Club and American Yacht Club were the only beaches in Westchester to earn an A+.
The good news: Sunny days are cleaner than ever
Water quality has improved dramatically over the past two decades when it hasn't rained.
At Rye Town Park's Oakland Beach, the rate of failed bacteria tests on dry days has dropped from 14% to just 3%. Playland Beach improved from 14% to 7%, while Shenorock Shore Club now has virtually no dry-weather failures.
The improvements suggest long-standing sewage and infrastructure problems have largely been addressed.
The bad news: Rain changes everything
Storms remain the biggest challenge.
After rainfall, Oakland Beach fails water-quality standards 26% of the time, while Playland Beach fails 28% of the time — meaning swimmers are much more likely to encounter unsafe bacteria levels after a storm.
One of the highest readings on record came at Playland Beach in August 2024, when nearly three inches of rain sent bacteria levels to 7,270 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. New York's swimming standard is 104.
Even smaller storms can have a major impact. After less than an inch of rain fell on June 9, 2025, bacteria levels exceeded safe limits at Playland, Oakland Beach and Coveleigh Club. Meanwhile, American Yacht Club — just a half-mile away — recorded an almost spotless reading.
Why rainfall matters
According to Save the Sound, rain washes bacteria and other pollutants from roads, parking lots, lawns and other paved surfaces into storm drains that empty directly into Long Island Sound.
The organization says projects like rain gardens, bioswales and constructed wetlands can help capture and filter polluted runoff before it reaches local beaches.
More rain could mean more closures
Westchester County already closes beaches after significant rainfall. Beaches typically close for one day after at least a half-inch of rain and two days after an inch or more.
With heavy rain in the forecast this weekend, additional closures could be on the way.
Residents can check current beach advisories through the Westchester County Health Department before heading to the shore.
