Texas Secures $382K Grant To Boost Beach Water Quality Monitoring
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Wednesday that her agency has secured $382,000 in federal funding to monitor bacterial levels at Texas beaches.
The EPA grant will support the state's Texas Beach Watch program through the 2025 swimming season. The funding comes as millions of Texans prepare for summer beach trips along the Gulf Coast. Rising concerns about water quality have made bacterial monitoring increasingly critical for public health officials.
'The GLO is proud to monitor the water quality up and down our beautiful Texas coast for the well-being of beachgoers, our shoreline communities, and the marine life across various beach habitats,' said Buckingham. 'As someone who lived on the coast for over a decade, I want to thank President Trump's EPA for the issuance of this grant that will assist the Texas Beach Watch program in keeping Texans informed as they visit our beaches this summer.'
The program tests specifically for Enterococcus bacteria, which naturally occurs in warm-blooded animals. While normal in coastal ecosystems, elevated levels can signal potential health risks.
Heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff often drive bacterial spikes. When levels exceed safety thresholds, the GLO issues water quality advisories to warn swimmers.
Still, the actual risk remains relatively low. Last year, only 797 of 8,237 samples triggered advisories—roughly 9% of all tests conducted.
The GLO does not close beaches during advisories. That decision rests with local authorities who weigh multiple factors beyond bacterial counts.
The grant stems from the federal BEACH Act, which mandates coastal water quality monitoring nationwide. EPA officials framed the funding as part of their 'Powering the Great American Comeback' initiative.
That said, bacterial monitoring represents just one piece of coastal management. The GLO simultaneously oversees beach nourishment projects and hurricane recovery efforts across the Texas coast.
Buckingham, who became Texas's first female Land Commissioner in 2022, has prioritized coastal issues. Her agency recently completed what officials describe as the state's largest beach nourishment project.
The Texas Beach Watch program encourages visitors to help maintain water quality. Officials specifically request proper pet waste disposal and trash management at beach sites.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
One Million Drivers Told To Avoid Gas Stations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Indiana residents are being advised to minimize visits to gas stations today as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to worsen air quality across the state. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended an Air Quality Action Day through Saturday; fine particulate levels are reaching unhealthy thresholds, particularly in northern, northeastern, and northwestern regions, as reported by WNDU, potentially affecting at least a million people. Newsweek contacted IDEM for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters EPA reports that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air and are released from sources like petrol stations, vehicle exhaust, paints, and industrial processes. At gas stations, VOCs escape during refueling and contribute to air pollution even with vapor recovery systems in place. When VOCs react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in sunlight, they form ground-level ozone—a major component of smog, the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports. EPA advises that this ozone can aggravate asthma, trigger respiratory symptoms, and harm people with existing heart or lung conditions. File photo: The price of gasoline is displayed on a pump at a gas station on March 6, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. File photo: The price of gasoline is displayed on a pump at a gas station on March 6, 2025 in Chicago, To Know The smoke originates from over 200 wildfires burning across Canada, as reported by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, with plumes stretching thousands of miles and affecting air quality throughout the U.S. Midwest. In some areas, air-quality indexes have reached levels deemed "very unhealthy," prompting widespread advisories. Reducing vehicle emissions can help mitigate ozone formation during such alerts. Residents are encouraged to limit driving, avoid refueling vehicles during daylight hours, and postpone the use of gasoline-powered equipment. To reduce pollution and protect public health, it is recommended to avoid gas stations during air-quality alerts or refueling in the evening, when ozone formation is less likely. As reported by Newsweek, at least two people have died and tens of thousands have been evacuated in Canada as a result of the blazes. WDNU reported that the following cities in Indiana will be most affected by the air quality: North Central Indiana: Including the cities of Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac, and all other cities within the area. Northeast Indiana: Including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area. Northwest Indiana: Including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso, and all other cities within the area. IDEM has issued some recommended actions that the public can take. These include: Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip. Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds. Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees Fahrenheit or above. A National Weather Service (NWS) air quality alert said that fine particulate levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. What People Are Saying The American Lung Association warns that wildfire smoke poses significant health risks, especially for children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions. They recommend staying indoors, using air purifiers, and keeping windows closed to reduce exposure. The American Lung Association stated on its website: "Areas throughout the Midwest, including parts of Indiana, will see their air quality impacted by smoke from wildfires burning in Canada this weekend. The smoke is prompting several communities to issue air-quality alerts. "It is unhealthy to breathe and can be especially harmful to sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." What Happens Next Residents are advised to monitor local air-quality reports and take necessary precautions to protect their health during this period of elevated pollution.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
This Popular U.S. Destination Has the First Confirmed Zika Virus Case in 6 Years—What Travelers Should Know
A case of travel-related Zika virus has been detected on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The virus didn't originate in Hawaii, but was brought there by an infected traveler. However, Zika could spread if that person is bitten by a mosquito that continues biting others. Two additional suspected exposures to Zika are being monitored by Oahu health you're headed to Oahu this summer, be aware that a mosquito-borne menace is back on the island. For the first time since 2019, Zika virus has been detected on Oahu, with the Hawaii Department of Health confirming one case. There are also two other suspected exposures to the Zika virus. The one case of Zika was imported into Hawaii by a traveler and did not originate on the island. It is not endemic in Hawaii. However, the virus is capable of spreading from an infected person, to a mosquito, and on to another person. Hawaii does have the type of mosquitos that can spread Zika, but the virus is not established in the state. 'The DOH asks for support in reducing the potential for the spread of Zika virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. Vector control teams are responding and will continue operations in areas where the individuals spent time, including neighborhoods in Waialua/Haleʻiwa area on Oʻahu,' the Hawaii Department of Heath said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. 'DOH will continue to monitor mosquito activity in the affected areas and implement further control measures as needed.' Symptoms of Zika virus can include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, and pink eye. However, about 80 percent of Zika cases are asymptomatic, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. The virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as it can be passed to their fetus and cause serious birth defects and pregnancy complications. Zika is mostly spread by mosquitos who have already bitten someone infected with Zika. It can also be spread through sexual contact. Other less common but possible means of transmission are infected blood transfusions, infected organ transplants, breastfeeding, or occupational exposure in healthcare settings. The Department of Health is encouraging both visitors and residents to take measures to prevent the spread of Zika by applying EPA-approved insect repellent on exposed skin, keeping mosquitos out of buildings by making sure doors close properly, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and removing standing water around buildings that can become a breeding ground for mosquitos. 'Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their trips, and for three weeks after returning,' the statement from the DOH states. 'Travelers returning from an area with risk of Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after their return. Anyone experiencing symptoms within two weeks after visiting an area with risk of Zika should consult a health care provider and inform them of possible exposure in a Zika-affected area. Testing is not routinely recommended for travelers who do not have symptoms.' Oahu is the third largest of Hawaii's islands, and contains the capital of Honolulu. It's world-famous for its pristine beaches (including Waikiki Beach), luxury hotels, and excellent surfing opportunities. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
After Years of Research as Wirecutter's Water-Quality Expert, I Decided I Don't Need to Filter My Water
Like Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: 'It came back completely clear. You've saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …' It does. New York's water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep it that way. But it isn't the only city that can boast such a thing. Consult your utility's Consumer Confidence Report. Here's New York City's latest. Here's Los Angeles's report. Here are Chicago's, Houston's, and Philadelphia's. You can usually find your CCR on your utility's website; the EPA can help you find your utility if you're unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.) A few terms to know: MCLG is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn't a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. MCL is the Maximum Contaminant Level that's allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That's worth remembering now that the Trump administration has rescinded or relaxed several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.) THMs are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody's CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the MRDL, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the MRDLG, the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on. To know even more, use a home water test kit. It will tell you exactly what's in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. We recommend several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter This send-away kit delivers lab-tested measurements of more than 100 contaminants, and it explains what they mean and what to do if there's a problem. I spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected. A lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, 'but the likelihood is that you're going to spend a ton of money [on a test kit], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.' (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that's our top pick; they cost between $300 and $795.) No PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public ('city') or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, 'our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.' And no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company's in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two. In terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people's focus away from where it is needed more urgently. 'Here you've got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that's PFAS,' he said. "Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don't seem to get the attention they deserve, and they're much more significant.' I didn't know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility's Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine. Still, I got that little fist of nerves. Having been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there's a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and other nasty stuff — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it's downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But. So it was reassuring to get the results I expected.
