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Healthy Beaches Report 08-31-16

By Crystal Steele

August 31, 2016

August 31, 2016

WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH SAMPLING RESULTS
~Three Advisories Issued for This Sampling Period~

Contact:
Crystal Steele
Crystal.Steele@flhealth.gov
850-892-8021 Ext. 1139

Walton County – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) 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 storm water 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

40

Moderate

SP-3

Dune Allen Beach

72

Poor

SP-4

Blue Mountain Beach

64

Moderate

SP-5

Grayton Beach

68

Moderate

SP-7

Holly Street Beach

92

Poor

SP-8

Eastern Lake Beach

80

Poor

SP-9

Inlet Beach Access

52

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 CFU per 100 ml of marine

Moderate = 36 - 70 Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine water

Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine water

Health Advisories have been issued for the Dune Allen Beach Access, the Holly Street Beach Access, and the Eastern Lake 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 DOH-Walton at (850) 892-8021 or visit the Florida Department of Health’s Beach Water Quality website www.floridahealth.gov/healthy-environments/beach-water-quality/index.html.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. 

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