Latest news with #Enterococcus
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida Department of Health issues water quality advisory for Okaloosa County park
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A water quality advisory has been issued for Garniers Beach Park by The Florida Department of Health. 'When she called me, she was crying': Nanny Faye's local friend on Todd Chrisley's release According to a FDOH news release, tests completed on Tuesday, May 27, showed that the water has elevated Enterococcus bacteria and is above the recommended safety limit. Garniers Beach Park is located at 257 Beachview Drive Northeast, Fort Walton Beach. LOCATION: Fairhope and Daphne hit by 80 mph winds as surprise storm downs trees across Baldwin County Test results can be found at the Florida DOH website or by calling 850-833-9247. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DOH-Bay issues water quality advisories for three parks
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Health in Bay County has issued water quality advisories for the following locations. Carl Gray Park (SP 9), Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL, 32401 Beach Drive (SP 10), US-98 West Beach Drive, Panama City, FL, 32401 Earl Gilbert Park (SP 11), 6601 Oak Shore Drive, Parker, FL, 32404 DOH officials said tests were completed on Tuesday, May 27. However, they indicate that water quality at the following locations does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health. According to a news release, DOH-Bay advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers. Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines, DOH officials wrote. These advisories will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. For test results, click here, or for more information, call 850-481-4806. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
High bacteria levels found in several popular Charleston area waterways. Here's where to avoid this Memorial Day weekend
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — If you're looking to hit the water for Memorial Day this weekend, Charleston Waterkeeper says there are a few popular spots you may want to avoid. The group identified multiple sites in its May 23 water quality report where high levels of Enterococcus bacteria were found: Northbridge Park, Hendricks Park, Hobcaw Creek, two areas of Shem Creek, and a portion of James Island Creek. Elevated bacteria levels can indicate possible contamination by fecal waste and may mean that harmful pathogens are present in the water, according to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). Exposure can lead to an increased risk of serious health infections, such as Cholera, Tuberculosis, Staph, and Vibrio, among others. Charleston Waterkeeper reported good news for boaters in the Charleston Harbor, as all tested sites meet the state standard for recreational activity. Spots around the area, including Brittlebank Park, are considered safe for swimming. Further up the Ashley River, Filbin Creek — a consistent problem spot — continues to register high bacteria levels, as did Northbridge Park. Opt for a splash in the Wando River near the Daniel Island Children's Park instead. Report identifies 10 US beaches that are 'hotspots' for bacteria The group found mixed results in Mount Pleasant, too. Swimming in Hobcaw Creek or Shem Creek north of Coleman Boulevard is not advised. Though bacteria levels appear okay at Shem Creek Park, swimmers should use caution. The Cove is a good option for water-based activities this weekend. The mixed results continue on James Island, where the creek near Folly Road is considered unsafe for swimming. Further down by Harbor View Road is clear, as is the rest of the island at rest of the island at Sol Legare, Clark Sound, and the Folly River. It's a green light for beachgoers this Memorial Day weekend as SCDES' latest data shows no signs of trouble from Isle of Palms to Seabrook Island. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heading to your favorite CT beach on Memorial Day? Here are some of the cleanest on the Sound.
If you're planning on heading out to your favorite Connecticut beach spot this Memorial Day, you may want to check its water quality grade, as several public beaches in Connecticut and New York vary from excellent to poor, according to the 2025 Long Island Sound Beach Report. The annual report grades over 200 of Connecticut's public beaches and is prepared by Save the Sound, an environmental nonprofit, that seeks to protect the Sound through both legislative and legal action. Each beach's grade is based on 2024 water quality data that local health departments gathered and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency's water quality database, Save the Sound said. Among the most common reason beaches receive a bad grade is due to the presence of the bacteria Enterococcus, which alerts to the presence of fecal matter in water. The bacteria is used to determine whether the water quality at a given saltwater beach is safe for swimming. When Enterococci levels in water samples exceed the state-established criteria, beaches must close until levels are safe, according to the report. The bacteria can expose swimmers to pathogens that can cause a variety of symptoms and could result in illnesses of the upper respiratory tract and hepatitis, as well as minor skin eye, ear, nose and throat irritations. 'This report is not meant to be how the beach water quality is today,' said Save the Sound's Peter Linderoth, director of healthy waters and lands. 'It is important for people to recognize that local and regional health departments and municipalities manage whether a beach is open, closed or under advisory for any given day. But people can pick up this report and see how their beach has been performing in respect to water quality and how it relates to human health for several years. It can help inform people so they can make decisions on where they want to go.' Despite some beaches being poorly rated, the report listed overall good news for Connecticut beaches. In total, 72% of the Long Island Sound beaches monitored earned 'A' or 'B' grades for water quality, according to the report. Only a handful of Connecticut and New York beaches received grades of less than a 'B.' 'While that's still good, there's certainly room for improvement,' Linderoth said. 'Because from the last beach report that actually is a slide backwards. In 2023, 78% of the beaches received an 'A' or 'B' grade. So it just goes to show that better management of stormwater runoff is definitely one of the solutions to improving beach water quality.' Some of the lowest scoring beaches in Connecticut include Byram Park Beach in Greenwich and Harbor Island Beach in Mamoroneck, New York which both earned a 'D' rating. Seabluff Beach in West Haven scored a 'C-,' according to the group. Other beaches like Green Harbor Beach in New London and Sasco Beach in Fairfield both scored a 'C' rating. Short Beach in Stratford scored a 'C+.' 'If you see your favorite beach's name on the list of lowest-scoring public beaches in the region, or if you see consistent yellow, orange or red boxes in the grids of grades in the back half of the beach report, don't be alarmed. Consider it an opportunity to learn more about a potential problem your community might not have been aware of and a place to take action,' the report said. Among the highest scoring Connecticut beaches, nearly all of them are located in New London and New Haven counties. Beaches earn their way onto the top graded lists by maintaining the highest water quality grades over the last three swimming seasons, according to the report's grading criteria. All of the state's highest scoring beaches can be found 'from Madison down to the southeasternmost corner of the state,' the report says. Eastern Point Beach in Groton, East and West Wharf Beaches in Madison, Surf Club Beach in Madison, Westbrook Town Beach in Westbrook, Ocean Beach Park in New London, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and duBois Beach in Stonington all received an 'A+' grade. Noank Dock in Groton and White Sands Beach in Old Lyme both received an 'A' grade. The Westbrook Town Beach is the only beach with a 10-year streak of A+ grades. None of the 149 water samples taken at Westbrook since 2015 failed to meet the state's safe-swimming standards, according to the report. 'There's likely less to no direct stormwater being discharged near Westbrook Beach and the area is probably not developed that intensely,' Linderoth said. 'In addition, wastewater comes into play too here. Sewer infrastructure and pipes underground are probably well maintained, and septic tanks nearby are well maintained and pumped frequently, so they operate effectively and don't release sewage into our waters.' The report also raises concerns about the water quality impacts of rain events driven by climate change, noting an increase in 'lost beach days,' and wet weather sample failures, particularly in the western Long Island Sound. An increase in sample failures was even noted in several eastern Sound beaches, according to the report. After a rainstorm, beaches typically experience a decline in water quality, due to water runoff. Runoff often carries pollutants from land into waterways and water can pick up bacteria, sediments, fertilizers and other contaminants, impacting the clarity and safety of the water. Wet weather samples around the Sound failed 13.5% of the time this year, up from 11.0% in 2020–22, according to the report. During dry weather, samples overall failed 5.1% of the time, an increase from 4.2% in the 2023 report. Over the last three swimming seasons, wet weather fails jumped in part due to the significant increase in failure rate in the westernmost region of the Sound that combines Westchester County in New York and New York City from 14.9% in 2020–22, to 20.8% in 2022–24, according to data in the report. The report cites that the wet weather failure rate for 2024 was the highest reported in any region in the history of the nonprofit's beach reports, dating back to the three-year period from 2016 to 2018. Linderoth said that the westernmost region of the Sound has both the highest population density and combined sewer overflows, leading to poorer water quality. CSO's allow for untreated sewage to be released during rainfall events, preventing backup into homes or businesses. While Connecticut has several CSO's including in Norwich, the New York City area has far more that leech into the Sound, he said. The report also attributes the wet weather failures to the amount of rainfall over the last three years. A total of 22 inches fell around the region in 2024. The state has averaged 18.3 inches over the last three years, which matches the highest three-year total since 2011–13, the report said. Linderoth said climate change producing more intense storms is a primary concern. 'We really encourage people to pick up the beach report and use it as an advocacy tool to start discussions with local officials on how they can improve water quality or maintain it if they're happy with their grade,' Linderoth said. 'We are also more than happy talk with people about the report and facilitate discussions with local officials on how to improve water quality.' For a complete list of grades for Connecticut beaches visit More information on Save the Sound can be found on their website at Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Swim advisory lifted for 3 Pinellas County beaches
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A swim advisory has been lifted for three Pinellas County beaches, the Florida Department of Health announced Friday. The Department of Health in Pinellas County issued a public health advisory for Clearwater Beach near Mandalay Park, Sand Key County Beach, and Indian Rocks County Beach on Thursday due to high bacterial levels. Former Bucs player among 255 arrested in 'Fool Around and Find Out' undercover investigation Tests conducted on Friday showed that the water quality at all three beaches now shows 'an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines,' the health department said. Enterococci bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which could cause human disease, infection, or rashes, officials said. The bacteria could have come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage, according to the health department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
