May 21, 2013
The Bay County Health Department conducts saltwater beach water quality monitoring in accordance with the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Water samples are collected twice a month between March and October. The samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. Poor results are posted as an “Advisory” at the affected beaches and those beaches are re-sampled the following week.
Advisories have been posted for the following Beach Monitoring sites: Laguna Beach (site#2) and Beach Drive (site #10). All other monitoring sites are good at this time.
If you have any questions, please contact the Bay County Health Department at 872-4455 ext. 1268, or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website (www.doh.state.fl.us, click on “A-Z Topics” and then select “Beach Water Quality”).
