Walton County Health Department issues advisory for Grayton Beach

July 12, 2013

healthadvisoryAs of July 11, 2013 – Advisory issued for Grayton Beach Access

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 44 Moderate
SP-3 Dune Allen Beach 88 Moderate
SP-4 Blue Mountain Beach 56 Moderate
SP-5 Grayton Beach 364 Poor
SP-7 Holly Street Beach 52 Moderate
SP-8 Eastern Lake Beach 36 Moderate
SP-9 Inlet Beach Access 68 Moderate

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
A Health Advisory has been issued for the Grayton 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.”