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Remove Septic Tanks on beaches and lakes

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 6:48 AM19,5101

It's past time to have these removed! It's South Walton's dirty little secret. There are septic tanks and drain fields that drain right into the coastal dune lakes and onto the beaches.

There are drain fields right under the sand on the beaches in many places.

Don't believe it? Look at these photos of Little Alligator Lake next to Gulf Trace in Grayton Beach in 2005 - http://www.sowal.com/photo-archive/photos-080305.html

That is styrofoam from drainfields washed out in Gulf Trace. The homeowners there are too cheap to hook up to sewer even though Regional Utilities gave them a deal.
They should be FORCED to hook up and remove the drain fields!

Any lake you see with a house on it probably has drain fields - Grayton Beach has a lot of them - you know the lake outlet where kids like to play? Often has unsafe bacteria levels.

Edited Jun 23, '12 · 6:49 AM

Replies

70

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 23, '12 · 6:48 AM#2

[h=3]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Crystal Steele[/h] June 21, 2012 850-892-8021, ext 1139
[h=3][/h]WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH SAMPLING RESULTS Walton County Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results Walton County - The Walton County Health Department has been conducting saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites once every week since August 1, 2000, 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.

[TD="bgcolor: transparent"] Site
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"]

Name

[/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

Enterococci

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Water Quality

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

Enterococci Geometric Mean

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Water Quality

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-1
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"] Miramar Beach [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

548

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

52.48

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-3
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"]

Dune Allen Beach

[/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

28

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Good

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

15.06

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Good

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-4
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"] Blue Mountain Beach [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

572

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

30.21

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Good

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-5
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"] Grayton Beach [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

304

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

39.07

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-7
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"] Holly Street Beach [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

92

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Moderate

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

15.55

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Good

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-8
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"]

Eastern

Lake Beach [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

328

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

34.76

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Good

[/TD]

[TD="width: 49, bgcolor: transparent"] SP-9
[/TD]
[TD="width: 151, bgcolor: transparent"] Inlet Beach Access [/TD]
[TD="width: 98, bgcolor: transparent"]

356

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]
[TD="width: 125, bgcolor: transparent"]

42.20

[/TD]
[TD="width: 81, bgcolor: transparent"]

Poor

[/TD]

Water quality classifications are based upon the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended
standard for enterococci of greater than or equal to 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of marine water.
Health Advisories have been issued for Miramar Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Eastern Lake Beach and
Inlet 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 at (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.”

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 9:45 AM#3

water quality advisory

hi
i just saw on my FB page from the sheriff that the health dept issued an advisory for several beaches in so wal. does anyone have any info on this? does anyone even pay attention to this stuff? i'm betting 99% of the people on the beach don't even know about it and are happily frolicking in the beautiful water right now

Edited Jun 23, '12 · 9:49 AM

Beach Comber

Jun 23, '12 · 9:53 AM#4

Won't matter tommorow will be Doubke reds

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 9:59 AM#5

water quality advisory

They shouldn't be in water on red flags. And health advisories are posted at all public beach accesses. But again- shouldn't be in water...

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 10:19 AM#6

The advisory is here on this thread:
http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/62163-Remove-Septic-Tanks-on-beaches-and-lakes

That's a pretty lame comment that it doesn't matter since it's red flags. Would it matter to you if it were green or yellow flags??
IMHO it ought to matter to all of us - what is the source(s) of this bacteria and what can we do about it??

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 23, '12 · 10:33 AM#7

Septic Tanks - as the other thread says.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 11:13 AM#8

Septic Tanks - as the other thread says.

I have no doubt that is a factor. What I am wondering is if that is the only source.

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 12:07 PM#9

water quality advisory

Always amazing how rude some people can be- post your comment without putting down someone else- just saying... It's uncalled for...

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 23, '12 · 12:27 PM#10

Always amazing how rude some people can be- post your comment without putting down someone else- just saying... It's uncalled for...

Huh?

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 12:52 PM#11

water quality advisory

Notdeadyet... Calling comment lame... Could have made the comment without the "lame" statement... Not necessary

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 1:56 PM#12

This issue is as important to Walton County as anything else I know of. There are too many septic tanks and not enough sewer mains to connect to. I have applied for a sewer connection and have been turned down because of the distance to a sewer main (less than 250 feet). It is an unbelievable process to get connected to the sewer. I am wondering if they are over capacity or something. I do not know if there is a separate sewer facility on the South side of the Bay or not but I am talking about on the North side all around Choctawhatchee Bay. There are many septic tanks that do not function properly. The cost to connect has become increasing prohibitive for reasons that I can not explain. You will pay many fees to connect including removal of your septic system and then there will be equipment cost like pumping tanks. If this problem is ever going to get solved we will have to have assistance from our government very likely. If we are serious about tourism and good water quality we will need to address this problem very soon. I hope that we all keep insisting on spending to improve infrastructure BEFORE spending on expensive marketing studies and advertising campaigns. Again, this is one of the most important issues facing this county!

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 4:15 PM#13

Water Quality Advisory

Notdeadyet... Calling comment lame... Could have made the comment without the "lame" statement... Not necessary

Just returned from Grayton beach for the week. My son and his wife were extremely sick (throwing up and diarrhea) on Thurs. nite. We thought that it was food poisoning. Couldn't figure out where it had come from though. On Friday, they were still at the cottage sick, my husband and I were on the beach when the Sheriff came by alerting everyone that the Animal Fecal Matter in the gulf was at very high levels and to stay out. My husband had swam on Wed. Well, he was sick, same symptoms, all the way back to Georgia today. He is in bed now horribly sick. Luckily, I always travel with Lomotal and Phengran. The Sheriff said that it was due to the heavy rains and was run-off. Western Lake was fine to swim in, he just said stay out of the Gulf. As I started speaking to people in Grayton, I found out many, many people are extremely ill from the same thing.

beats on hood

Jun 23, '12 · 4:21 PM#14

Gosh, the water sample results are plain scary. And the styrofoam in the photos -- it should be banned. You know that so many establishments use styrofoam for takeout boxes and/or drink cups. Cafe Thirty-A is one that uses paper takeout boxes. The environment appreciates that!

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 4:22 PM#15

This absolutely disgusts me. I have been visiting Grayton for over 20 yrs. now and have never had a problem. Both my son, his wife, their 17 month old child and my husband got sick this week. Horribly sick. Like ruin your vacation sick. How can this be with all of the visit south walton advertising that's been going on.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 5:45 PM#16

Extremely disappointing. Almost back in Louisville after week on 30a. Do we return? Sorry about Scooters family. Lots to think about. Ellen

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 6:32 PM#17

What ever happened to our beaches being Blue Wave Certified??

http://www.cleanbeaches.com/

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 6:48 PM#18

If you rent in Grayton, you will be closer to the contamination than other areas. It all runs downhill out of Gulf Trace into the Gulf.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 6:53 PM#19

If you rent in Grayton, you will be closer to the contamination than other areas. It all runs downhill out of Gulf Trace into the Gulf.

I think there is more to it than Gulf Trace. The current has been east to west for at least a week now, maybe longer, and the test results east of Grayton were bad too. I am not downplaying Gulf Trace - those septics should have been gone years ago - but I am worried that if we focus exclusively on that problem we will miss something else that needs to be fixed.

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 7:32 PM#20

I would think the Miramar area may be influenced by runoff of many commercial areas that aren't in the numbers as along 30A.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 7:37 PM#21

Is this a common happening?Wondering because we have usually have the grand children with us in Grayton.

Beach Lover

Jun 23, '12 · 8:03 PM#22

I am worried about our vacation plans the 3rd week of July. We've never been to Sowal, and it seems like the water conditions are looking pretty grim. Any thoughts?

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 8:49 PM#23

Just returned from Grayton beach for the week. My son and his wife were extremely sick (throwing up and diarrhea) on Thurs. nite. We thought that it was food poisoning. Couldn't figure out where it had come from though. On Friday, they were still at the cottage sick, my husband and I were on the beach when the Sheriff came by alerting everyone that the Animal Fecal Matter in the gulf was at very high levels and to stay out. My husband had swam on Wed. Well, he was sick, same symptoms, all the way back to Georgia today. He is in bed now horribly sick. Luckily, I always travel with Lomotal and Phengran. The Sheriff said that it was due to the heavy rains and was run-off. Western Lake was fine to swim in, he just said stay out of the Gulf. As I started speaking to people in Grayton, I found out many, many people are extremely ill from the same thing.

I find it odd that the lake is okay if the gulf is not. Anything washing into the gulf washes into the lakes too.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 23, '12 · 8:55 PM#24

There are many septic tanks all over the area, so it is unfair to blame just one subdivision.
Hopefully with the attention this is getting we can finally focus on the infrastructure problems that will just continue to get worse.

Beach Comber

Jun 23, '12 · 9:57 PM#25

I have lived in SRB for over 15 years. In that time I have NEVER seen an advisory against beach water conditions. (the bay, well that is a different story.) The studies were negative for fecal coliform. So, it's not the septic situation, that's why the dune lakes are all good.
It is of no coincidence that this is happening during the first good storm since the spill. If anyone feels differently, I know who you are still getting checks from.

SoWal Expert

Jun 23, '12 · 10:26 PM#26

Dinner discussion tonight with engineer husband (who is Geek of Most Things)..anyway, there was so much rain in Pensacola and other communities west of here, so much bad run-off, plume moves down the coast maybe? Not out of the realm of possibility. Yes, we have old septic systems here, but it seems a bit of a stretch to say that they are causing the problem with a large body of water like the Gulf. The dune lakes are a bigger issue with the septic systems, and supposedly they are not having a water quality problem now. I can see the bigger city scenario a lot easier- maybe it is a storm related event from a couple of weeks ago. So let's step back and take a deep breath before everyone goes nuts and thinks all of 30A has failing septic systems contributing to a community-wide water quality problem.

The law of large numbers factor also may be in play. I am sure every week there are families here with a gastro virus- sometimes timing just sucks. They probably had a better chance of catching it anywhere but the Gulf, and I am also wondering why we have not heard of a big outbreak if the water is so bad that it is making people sick. Where is 30A Skunkape- he usually is on the pulse of stuff like this because he is on the front line medically.

But back to septic tanks- this is not a place for septic systems anywhere near the dune lakes, or any water, period. They need to be removed. Time to catch up with the modern days- right, Walton County?

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