No Swimming at Shell Point - Advisory Issued

 I received the following press release from the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners today. Reports like this not only underscore the need for a central, modernized sewer system in Wakulla County but also help to make the case for maintaining the strong Wetlands Ordinance in Wakulla County.

CORRECTED PRESS RELEASE FOR SHELL POINT BEACH: (beach name corrected)

Press Release

Date 7/25/2013

Wakulla County Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results

The Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County has been conducting marine beach water quality monitoring at Shell Point Beach once every two weeks, through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.  The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci), that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and which may indicate increased risk of human disease, infections, or rashes.  The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. 

Name	City	Water Quality	Enterococci	Water Quality
Shell Point	Crawfordville	Poor	180	Poor

Water quality classifications are based upon the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended standard for enterococci:

Good = 0-35 enterococci Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of marine water

Moderate = 36-104 CFU/100mL of marine water

Poor = Greater than 104 CFU/100mL of marine water

A No-Swimming Advisory has been issued for Shell Point Beach based on the marine water bacterial indicator that has been recommended by the EPA. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.  If you should have any questions, please contact the Wakulla County Health Department at (850)926-0410, or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website (www.floridashealth.com/beachwater).

 

Press Release

Date 7/25/2013

Wakulla County Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results

The Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County has been conducting marine beach water quality monitoring at Shell Point Beach once every two weeks, through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.  The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci), that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and which may indicate increased risk of human disease, infections, or rashes.  The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.

Name	City	Water Quality	Enterococci	Water Quality
Shell Point	Crawfordville	Poor	180	Poor

Water quality classifications are based upon the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended standard for enterococci:

Good = 0-35 enterococci Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of marine water

Moderate = 36-104 CFU/100mL of marine water

Poor = Greater than 104 CFU/100mL of marine water

A No-Swimming Advisory has been issued for Heavy Load Beach based on the marine water bacterial indicator that has been recommended by the EPA. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.   If you should have any questions, please contact the Wakulla County Health Department at (850)926-0410, or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website (www.floridashealth.com/beachwater).