Walton County beach sampling results for April 23, 2013

April 26, 2013

waltonhealthTwo advisories issued for this sampling period

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause 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.  The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine whether Florida has significant coastal beach water quality problems and whether future beach monitoring efforts are necessary. 

 

Site

Name

Enterococci

Water Quality

SP-1

Miramar Beach

28

Good

SP-3

Dune Allen Beach

84

Moderate

SP-4

Blue Mountain Beach

64

Moderate

SP-5

Grayton Beach

120

Poor

SP-7

Holly Street Beach

196

Poor

SP-8

Eastern Lake Beach

20

Good

SP-9

Inlet Beach Access

8

Good

Water quality classifications are based upon United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended criteria and Florida Healthy Beaches Program Categories:

Good = 0 – 35 Enterococci per 100 ml of marine

Moderate = 36 – 104 Enterococci per 100 ml of marine water

Poor = greater than 105 Enterococci per 100 ml of marine water

Health Advisories have been issued for the Grayton Beach Access and the Holly Street Beach Access based on the enterococci standard 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 FDOH in Walton County at (850) 892-8021, or visit the Department of Health’s Beach Water Quality website www.doh.state.fl.us and click on “Floridians and Visitors” under “Food, Water, Air, Land,” then choose “Beach Water Quality.”