High levels of Enterococci and E. coli bacteria stopped people from swimming at 18 Massachusetts beaches starting Tuesday.

The beaches include those along the Atlantic Ocean as well as inland.

Swimming in water with excessive bacteria can lead to problems with eyes, ears, breathing and skin, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health explains on its website.

The DPH said the beaches will reopen for swimming when bacteria levels drop to a healthy range.

Massachusetts is no stranger to mass beach closures. On one day in July 2023, 53 beaches closed statewide, and the year before, 44 were shut down, DPH officials told Boston.com.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.