Update: December 3, 2020
The beach water advisories on Tybee Island and St. Simons Island have been lifted.
The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which is from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.
The Chatham County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for South Beach at Chatham Street, which is from 18th Street to the Inlet Avenue on Tybee Island.
The advisories were issued on December 1, 2020 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.
Two beach water advisories have been issued today in the Coastal Health District.
The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which is from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.
The Chatham County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for South Beach at Chatham Street, which is from 18th Street to the Inlet Avenue on Tybee Island.
The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on coastal Georgia beaches throughout the year. The tests screen for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.
When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. This does NOT mean the beach is closed.
The beach water advisory alerts the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory area. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.
The area will be re-tested this week, and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.
The post Beach Advisories Lifted on Tybee & St. Simons Islands appeared first on Georgia Coastal Health District.