Kiera Jefferson
Florida's beaches are a popular attraction, but some are facing pollution issues. In June 2024, the Florida Department of Health issued advisories for several beaches in at least two counties due to concerns over fecal pollution. This term refers to the presence of enteric bacteria, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and can cause health issues if ingested while swimming or if they enter the body through cuts or sores. Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria have been a recurring issue, with 70% of Florida's beaches found to have unsafe levels in 2023 and 2024. While the state has implemented programs to monitor and address water quality, such as the Beach Water Sampling Program and the Florida Healthy Beaches Program, pollution from stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, and other sources continues to be a challenge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of polluted beaches | 70% |
| Source of pollution | Sewage overflows, stormwater pollution, farm animal waste, outdated sewage systems, factory farming |
| Bacteria tested | Fecal coliform, enterococci |
| Sampling frequency | Bi-weekly |
| Sampling period | First week of March to the last week of September |
| Sampling locations | 30 of Florida's coastal counties |
| Advisories issued | Yes |
| Water quality categories | Good, moderate, poor |
| Safe enterococci range | 0-35 enterococci per 100 ml of marine water |
| Moderate enterococci range | 36-70 enterococci per 100 ml of marine water |
| Poor enterococci range | 71 or greater enterococci per 100 ml of marine water |
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What You'll Learn
Unsafe levels of bacteria
Florida's beaches are a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, but it's important to be aware of potential health risks before taking a dip. Unsafe levels of bacteria in the water can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections, or rashes if ingested or if they enter the body through a cut.
The presence of enteric bacteria, such as enterococci, in high concentrations can indicate fecal pollution. Fecal pollution can come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. While Florida has implemented routine monitoring of fecal indicator bacteria and testing programs, a recent report revealed that 70% of Florida's beaches had unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. This highlights the need for continued vigilance and action to protect public health.
Water testing plays a crucial role in informing the public about unsafe bacteria levels. The Beach Water Sampling Program, established in 2000, initially included 30 of Florida's coastal counties and collected samples on a weekly basis. Changes in funding led to a transition back to bi-weekly sampling and a reduction in the number of sample locations. Despite these challenges, Florida continues to monitor water quality and take appropriate measures to safeguard residents and visitors.
It is recommended to check for swim advisories on the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches website before planning a beach trip. While testing is informative, it may not be comprehensive, and Floridians should be proactive in protecting themselves and their families from potential health risks associated with unsafe bacteria levels.
While enjoying Florida's beautiful beaches, it is essential to prioritize your health and well-being. By staying informed, proactive, and cautious, you can safely enjoy the sun, sand, and surf without worrying about the potential dangers of unsafe bacteria levels in the water.
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Sources of pollution
According to a report, 70% of Florida's beaches have unsafe levels of faecal bacteria. The presence of faecal bacteria is an indication of faecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If ingested or if it enters the skin through a cut or sore, it may cause diseases, infections, or rashes.
Fecal indicator bacteria are monitored routinely by the Florida Department of Health, and the results and any advisories are posted on the individual county pages. The statewide testing program tests for enterococci due to a greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in both marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms. They are also less likely to "die off" in saltwater.
The Beach Water Sampling Program was extended to 30 of Florida's coastal counties through state legislation in August 2000. The program included sampling for fecal coliform as well as enterococci bacteria. In August 2002, the program began collecting water samples on a weekly basis with additional funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, changes in funding levels in 2011 resulted in a return to bi-weekly sampling and the elimination of all fecal coliform sampling.
While wastewater treatment plants are effective most of the time, they can be overwhelmed during overflow events such as heavy rainfall, plant expansion or improvement projects, or critical system failures. This can result in the release of untreated or partially treated wastewater, contributing to the pollution of beaches and water bodies.
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Beach sampling programs
The Healthy Beaches Program, enacted through state legislation in August 2000, includes all 34 of Florida's coastal counties. This program focuses on monitoring bacteria levels at various marine beaches to protect public health. Enterococci bacteria, which are indicators of fecal pollution, are routinely tested. High levels of these bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness in swimmers, so when they are detected, public health advisories are issued, and the media is notified to warn the public. The program also collects samples for microbiological analysis on different coastal beach locations regularly.
The Beach Water Sampling Program was extended to 30 of Florida's coastal counties in August 2000 through Senate Bill 1412 and House Bill 2145. This program initially included sampling for both fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria. However, due to funding changes in 2011, fecal coliform sampling was eliminated, and sampling frequencies were reduced to bi-weekly. Despite this, enterococcus bacteria provide the same indicators of pollution, ensuring the safety of the beaches. The program also started collecting weekly samples in 2002 with additional funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, for example, has adopted new water quality criteria based on the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQ criteria) and recommendations from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). They have established standards for "Good," "Moderate," and "Poor" water quality based on the concentration of Enterococci bacteria per 100 ml of marine water. When sample sites exceed these standards, advisories are issued, and signs are posted to warn the public.
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia also has beach sampling sites from Ormond Beach to New Smyrna Beach. Their data shows consistently good water quality during the bathing season, which runs from April through October. During the winter and early spring, they observe an influx of migratory birds, which can impact water quality.
These beach sampling programs are crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring that Florida's beaches remain enjoyable and safe for everyone.
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Advisories and warnings
The Florida Department of Health's Beach Water Quality Sampling Program routinely monitors fecal indicator bacteria and posts the results and any advisories on individual county pages. Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of these bacteria can indicate fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If ingested or if they enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause disease, infections, or rashes.
In 2000, the Beach Water Sampling Program was extended to 30 of Florida's coastal counties through state legislation and funding. In addition to enterococci bacteria, sampling under the new program included fecal coliform bacteria. In 2002, the program began collecting water samples weekly with additional funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, changes in funding levels in 2011 resulted in a return to bi-weekly sampling, the elimination of all fecal coliform sampling, and a reduction in the number of sample locations. Sampling in the northern parts of the state was also suspended during the winter months, from November through February.
According to a report by the Surfrider Foundation, two Florida beaches are among the most polluted in the United States. The report is based on water samples collected from 567 distinct sampling sites across the country, with 362 of them yielding at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards. The majority of the water samples that failed to meet health standards were collected from freshwater sources, such as rivers, creeks, and marshes, or beaches near these outlets. Stormwater runoff is the leading cause of beach closures and swimming advisories in the U.S., as it can wash chemicals and other pollutants into local waterways and down to the beach.
A separate report, released in June 2024, found that 70% of Florida's beaches had unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. However, it is important to note that this report focused on bays and inlets rather than ocean beaches. While wastewater treatment plants are effective most of the time, they can be overwhelmed during overflow events, such as heavy storms, or when undergoing expansion or improvement projects.
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Harmful algae blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a common issue in Florida, with the state's vast salt and freshwater resources supporting populations of bloom-forming algae. While most algae are beneficial and form the foundation of the aquatic food web, certain species can produce toxins and cause negative environmental impacts, leading to the classification of HABs. These blooms typically occur in warm water with increased nutrients, and can be transported to shore by winds, waves, tides, and currents. HABs usually develop in the summer or early fall and can persist for extended periods, ranging from weeks to over a year.
Florida has a robust monitoring and reporting program for marine and freshwater HABs, with resources available for residents and visitors to stay informed about the status of HABs. The state also provides various tools for tracking red tides, a common type of HAB caused by the rapid growth of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis, which produces potent neurotoxins called brevetoxins. These toxins can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, sneezing, and eye, nose, and throat irritation in humans, as well as impacting marine life and leading to shellfish closures.
Another type of HAB in Florida is caused by blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, which can occur in fresh or brackish water bodies. These blooms can discolour the water in various colours and appear as paint-like streaks, scum, or foam with unpleasant odours. While skin contact with the algae may cause irritation, the primary risk is from swallowing large amounts of contaminated water, which can lead to illness.
The Florida Sea Grant plays a crucial role in researching and addressing the impacts of HABs on the state's environment, public health, and economy. Accurate communication about HABs is essential to balancing public safety and protecting the local economy, especially in coastal areas that depend on tourism and marine industries. The state also provides resources for veterinarians and pet owners, as animals can be impacted by HABs as well.
Overall, Florida is actively working to address the challenges posed by HABs through monitoring, research, and public communication. By understanding the diverse species and aquatic systems involved, the state aims to minimize the impacts of HABs and protect the health and well-being of its residents and visitors.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a report by Environment America, 70% of the 244 beaches tested in Florida had potentially unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria on at least one occasion. This includes beaches in South Florida, such as Miami Beach canal, which has been affected by poop pollution for years.
Beach pollution in Florida is primarily caused by stormwater runoff, which can wash chemicals, sewage, and other pollutants into local waterways and down to the beach. Other sources of pollution include factory farming, outdated sewage systems, and fertilizers from farms.
The Florida Department of Health routinely monitors fecal indicator bacteria, such as enterococci, through water sampling programs. The results and any advisories are posted on the individual county pages. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides the BEACON system, a database of pollution occurrences for coastal recreation waters.
