Beach and River Sampling

Through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program, the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County's Division of Environmental Public Health conducts beach and river water sampling in six locations throughout the county every other week.

Additionally, samples from the St. Lucie River are collected at three sites every other week. These sites are sampled as a special monitoring project.

The water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of these enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife, and human sewage.

If enteric bacteria are present in high concentrations and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation, and skin rashes.

Advisory signs will be posted, and residents are urged to avoid contact with the water, if higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria are present.

Beach and River Testing

St. Lucie's ocean and river water testing is based upon Florida's statewide beach testing program which tests for Enterococci. Enterococci are indicator bacteria indicating fecal contamination and the possible presence of disease-causing organisms.

All natural bodies of water contain microscopic organisms including fecal bacteria and parasites that may cause gastro-intestinal illness in people.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a swimming advisory when bacterial counts are high enough to potentially make 36 of 1,000 exposed people ill. This level is called a beach action value and is currently set at 70 colony forming units of Enterococci per 100 milliliters (cfu/100mL). If bacterial test results are higher than 70, it is likely more swimmers would become ill.

Swimming Illnesses

There is always a potential risk of contracting a swimming-related illness when the water is contaminated. However, the outcome depends on the health of the individual.

There is no guarantee that you will get sick when an advisory is issued, and no guarantee that you will not get sick when there is no advisory. When bacteria levels exceed the established criteria, or conditions at the beach increase bacterial levels, risks of illness due to microorganism exposure increases.

Most swimming-related illnesses are minor for people in good health, requiring little or no treatment, and usually no long-term health effects. The most common health implications or illness associated with swimming in contaminated water, dependent on type and duration of exposure, include: gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, headache, stomachache, fever and diarrhea); ear, nose, and throat infections; rashes; and wound infections through an open cut or wound.

Precautions to Protect Health

• Don't swallow the water
• Shower after swimming
• Wash hands before eating
• Avoid water contacting an open cut, wound, or skin infection
• Pay attention and follow advisory signs or notices

What You Can Do

• Don't swim if you are ill
• Don't feed the birds
• Dispose of trash in appropriate containers
• Change baby diapers before allowing them to swim
• Don't dump household chemicals or wastes in street drains
• Avoid using excess fertilizers or pesticides on your yard
• Report possible sources of contamination to local authorities

Swimming Advisories

Beaches and river access are not technically "closed" during an advisory. A warning sign is posted advising the public that the water may be unsafe for swimming. An advisory still allows the public to recreate at the beach and river.

During a swimming advisory, warning signs are posted when the water has bacterial levels at or exceeding the EPA criteria for beach advisories. If you choose to swim during a swimming advisory, it may be prudent to avoid ducking your head or swallowing the water.

Not all illnesses are from swimming or recreating at the water. Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Most people can swim and enjoy the water without any problems or concerns. But, contaminants can find their way into all waterways, so there is always a slight level of risk for infections, especially for those who have chronic illnesses.

If you do decide to enter the water, take extra precautions: do not ingest the water, wash hands before eating, and shower when done swimming. Be aware of other safety hazards associated with swimming, and, as always, swim at your own risk.