Tropical Storm Bertha did more than just kick up strong surf when it skirted Escambia County, the storm also stirred up higher levels of fecal indicator bacteria that led the Florida Health Department to issue water quality health advisories for several popular local beaches. However, more recent testing by Escambia County shows levels in some of those spots have already dropped to “acceptable” levels.
On July 24, the Department of Health in Escambia County issued water quality health advisories for the following locations:
According to Florida Health’s Healthy Beaches website water quality sampling data shows advisories for “poor” water quality were also listed for the Bruce Beach, Bayou Texar and Big Lagoon State Park – East.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) said the tests were completed on July 23 and indicated the water quality at those locations “does not meet the recreational water quality for Enterococcus bacteria recommended” by FDOH.
Escambia Natural Resources Deputy Director Tim Day said the county also regularly tests and monitors local waterways. Although Escambia didn’t test all the locations listed above, their most recent tests conducted a day or so later show the following:
Day said levels are expected to continue declining if there are no additional weather events.
Storms drive higher bacteria levels
He said heavy weather events, including rainfall and wave action, stir up sediment and create more runoff, which can lead to higher bacteria levels, more contamination, and poor water quality.
“Historically, we get a storm that comes through and places like Bayou Texar tend to have elevated bacteria counts for a period of days and the health department usually advises against swimming in those areas until the bacteria levels return to normal.”
Bacteria levels typically drop within a couple of days after a weather event subsides and water quality improves.
DOH-Escambia advises against any water-related activities at locations with unacceptable levels due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers.
When an advisory is issued it remains in place until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level.
Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.
The health department categorizes testing results as good, moderate, or poor:
The health department said a poor advisory rating may result in a resampling event to confirm poor conditions, otherwise a health advisory or warning will be issued immediately.
They say these indicate that contact with the water at a particular time may pose increased risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible individuals.
Day said ECUA infrastructure improvements have cut down on sewage discharge into waterbodies through the septic-to-sewer program, which prevents septic overflows during heavy rain events and helps the water bodies stay safe.
He said ECUA prioritizes improvements in areas closest to water for the septic-to-sewer conversions.
What is enterococci bacteria and what are the symptoms?
Enterococci are enteric bacteria which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of people and animals. It’s an indication of fecal pollution. It may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife or human sewage.
They can be ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore.
Symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.
Mollye Barrows is an award-winning investigative reporter for the Pensacola News Journal covering legal justice and government accountability matters.
USA TODAY Network-Florida reporter Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Tropical Storm Bertha leaves behind health advisories for Pensacola beaches
Reporting by Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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By Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
