Galveston County Health Dept. tracking fecal bacteria at local beaches. Galveston County health officials say that there isn’t fecal matter that’s been found in the water – it’s fecal bacteria.
GALVESTON, Texas – The Health Department is tracking fecal bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico and some beaches on Galveston Island have more of it than others.
County health officials say that this isn’t cause for alarm but it is something you should think about if you’re heading to Galveston this weekend.
“It’s the most likely bacteria you find in the guts of mammals, birds, anything, sewage has it, septic systems have it,” says Lorrie Fitzsimmons-Evans with the Galveston County Health Department.
The biggest cluster of bacteria was found at the popular Stewart Beach.
as mentioned in Public Health used to test the bacteria levels at nine beaches operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) every summer.
So warnings will no longer be issued by Public Health and the GRCA.
That also means water warnings at popular swimming spots are useless.
Public Health argues that it’s the best option until they can get reliable real-time testing.
They say swimmers will now be responsible for checking the water for themselves.
Galveston County Health Dept. tracking fecal bacteria at local beaches
as mentioned in SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – Swimmers should avoid these six Long Island beaches Saturday after elevated levels of bacteria were found, the Suffolk County Department of Health said.
Six of 190 beaches in Suffolk County are closed for bathing because of potential health hazards, according to Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken.
Lake Ronkonkoma Beach, IslipTanner Park Beach, CopiagueBenjamin Beach, Bay ShoreFleet’s Cove Beach, HuntingtonHuntington Beach Community association Beach, CenterportCrab Meadow Beach, NorthportFor the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach hotline at 852-5822.
The following beaches are closed until further testing reveals bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels.
Bathing in the bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections in the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
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