Walton County Health Department beach water quality report for Aug. 7, 2012

August 8, 2012

The Walton County Health Department conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.  The water samples are being 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 stormwater 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 148 Poor
SP-3 Dune Allen Beach  248 Poor
SP-4 Blue Mountain Beach 152 Poor
SP-5 Grayton Beach  12 Good
SP-7 Holly Street Beach 192 Poor
SP-8 Eastern Lake Beach  40 Moderate
SP-9 Inlet Beach Access  44 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 per 100 ml of marine

Moderate = 36 – 104 Enterococci per 100 ml of marine water

Poor = greater than 105 Enterococci per 100 ml of marine water

Health Advisories have been issued for the Miramar Beach Access, Dune Allen Beach Access, Blue Mountain Beach Access and the Holley Street 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 the Walton County Health Department of (850) 892-8021, or visit the Department of Health’s internet Beach Water Quality website (www.doh.state.fl.us, click on “Floridians and Visitors” – under “Food, Water, Air, Land,” choose “Beach Water Quality.”

More about Walton Outdoors