Gulf Water Quality Results

There is not a lot we can do about the much larger populations to our west- a lot of the "bad stuff" is from their runoff from what I am hearing.

Maybe, but the water test results from Okaloosa County from one day before ours posted above do not seem to indicate this.
http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/beachresults.aspx?county=Okaloosa

There are a lot of septic tanks left in SoWal. I'm with meowracer, they ought to go.
And I would like to see inspection reports and ground water sampling around lift stations and low pressure sewer lines.

Until we know for sure, I don't think it's smart to just shrug and blame it on somewhere else.
Next thing you know, when we get a strong current alongshore out of the east, folks to the west of us will be pointing their fingers this direction. We all need to take responsibility for our own contributions. I have a hard time thinking septic systems right along the Gulf are not contributing. Many of them are old. Who knows how well they are still functioning?

Good question. Last bad water testing was the week after the huge rains and flooding west of us. There is a lot of crap in stormwater- nasty stuff. And plain old runoff from yards, farms, all land touching waterways that flow into the Gulf. The possibilities are kind of endless.

Unfortunately, it wasn't just the week after the big flooding. There were poor test results for different Walton County beaches on 6/26, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, and again in the retest on 8/9. Blue Mountain Beach and Holly Street seem to be reporting poor results the most frequently.

I am not an expert, and I know the septic systems are not good, but I can't believe there are so many that a huge body of water like the Gulf would have bad testing based just on the septics. I can see the lakes having a problem more.

But, I think every single septic system here needs to go. Most are outdated and never meant to have modern day usage- multiple showers, bathrooms, washing machines running every day, dishwashers, too many vacationers in the house, etc. I think personal property rights go out the door when they compromise the environment and public health in the community.

I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that most of the septic tanks are in Gulf Trace. It has also been said that they now have sewer lines available to their residences. It is costly to hook up to the sewer line and many just don't wish to do so. As I said, I have only heard this, though as I remember, it was at a BCC meeting. If it is in error, please correct it.

There are quite a few left in Seagrove and Inlet Beach.

saw a walton county sheriff fb post about water quality

hi
i saw where there were advisories posted again for some of the 30a beaches. i know how much all you locals care about the pristine areas down there so it must be hard for y'all.
i thought it was a one time thing, but maybe it's becoming an issue? are your local authorities are on top of it? just curious.

Posted on: August 22, 2012[h=3]WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH SAMPLING RESULTS[/h]WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH SAMPLING RESULTS
Walton County Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results
Walton County - 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 32 Good
SP-3 Dune Allen Beach 60 Moderate
SP-4 Blue Mountain Beach 184 Poor
SP-5 Grayton Beach 480 Poor
SP-7 Holly Street Beach 156 Poor
SP-8 Eastern Lake Beach 356 Poor
SP-9 Inlet Beach Access 472 Poor
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 Blue Mountain Beach Access, Grayton Beach Access, Holly Street Beach Access, Eastern Lake Beach Access 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 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.”

Hmmmm...we will be staying near Easter Lake starting
Saturday for 9 days, guess we'll think twice about getting in the water??? Beach time is what we are looking forward too, so not a big deal for us...just glad this isn't a family trip with our grandchildren, I'd be a bit stressed....

So it seems like every time there has been a lot of rain, the beach water quality ratings go down. Am I right or wrong?

If I'm right, what is the solution? Mandating the removal of septic tanks? Cleaning up your dog's poop (which we do)? What else can be done?

If I'm wrong, we have a bigger problem.

As I understand it, you're correct. The solution? Talk to God.

If humans are the primary cause of this problem and we are then it will take humans to fix the problem. We need funding for the sewer infrastructure required to support more and more people coming to our once pristine environment. We need civil engineers instead of marking and advertising. We need work shops and information to educate property owners and businesses. We need our local government to get serious about infrastructure to support the record number of tourist coming to our paradise. This problem is not going away from divine intervention and will continue to get worse. The water quality tests are just symptoms of an outdated system that must be corrected. It will be a mistake to hope this will get better without leadership to make this a priority over marketing campaigns. So if anyone does talk to God please ask for quality leadership in our communities!

Okay, but here's what I don't understand:

1) We've had heavy rains for many years
2) We've had periods of high surf for many years
3) We've had these same septic systems for many years
4) We've head heavy tourist traffic in summer for many years

But, this is the first year we've had poor water quality ratings.

What's the difference? Are all the septic systems breaking down suddenly? It seems logical that septic systems near the beach would be bad, but is that really the cause? Right now that's just a bunch of message board speculation. Doesn't the health department monitor septic systems?

It's been suggested that overuse of these septic systems (by tourists) may be a cause. But if I had a rental house with a septic system, wouldn't the users see some indications of breakdown? I mean things like backed up sewer lines, sewage backing up into toilets and bathtubs, and pooling in the yard, which are things I don't think most renters would find attractive.

One rumor I heard was that more water was allowed to enter the Mississippi and thus the gulf after the oil spill in an attempt to keep oil off the coast. I don't know if that is even possible but if it is, could still be going on. More water from the big river means more pollution.

If that is a whacked scenario then it could simply be more chit flowing downstream from local rivers with all the recent rains.

Yes, septic systems are breaking down and more people are bring more chit. We need civil engineers to answer the questions about rivers, streams, stormwater, sewer capacities, septic tanks, more people and many more questions regarding how to keep our waters clean and healthy. I am positive that tests can be done to provide us with information regarding why and where and what to do about it. For example if it is coming from the mighty Mississippi or the Choctawhatchee then high bacteria levels should be showing up where fresh waters enter the Gulf. In my opinion it is coming from the record number of tourists visiting and the demands that is places on our septic and sewer infrastructure. Stormwater is a symptom not the cause. People are the source and poor infrastructure is very likely the cause.

People are always surprised to find out there are septic tanks and drainfields under the sand in some places.

Note to dead developers:
If you have to put a septic tank on the beach, you're building in the wrong place.

Is it at all possible that water wasn't tested or results posted in the past? When did results start to be noticed?

The monitoring began in 1998 according to http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/default.aspx .

One rumor I heard was that more water was allowed to enter the Mississippi and thus the gulf after the oil spill in an attempt to keep oil off the coast. I don't know if that is even possible but if it is, could still be going on. More water from the big river means more pollution.

If that is a whacked scenario then it could simply be more chit flowing downstream from local rivers with all the recent rains.

That is Bdarg's unofficial, professional civil engineer assessment, coupled with the enormous amount of runoff here and west of us, and in the bay out to the Gulf. Sooooo much water running off everywhere, coming out of everywhere, going into the Gulf. Septic tanks aren't helping, but they are not the primary cause. (but they still need to be removed)

Grayton Beach Water Quality

While the double red flags have come down, and the yellow flag is flying, the sign is up advising vistitors to stay out of the water at Grayton Beach due to high levels of enteric bacteria.

Also, there is a strong odor of raw sewage at the out flow into the Gulf from of the lake beside Gulf Trace, and the discoloration is moving towards Grayton and on to Seaside.

Is there a connection?

unfortunately this has been going on since at least June http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/reshistory.aspx?SPID=300

i really hope that the powers that be find the solution soon, so that the waters of 30a remain safe to swim in.
do y'all this may be a problem that really needs to be addressed?

Does anyone know if this is affecting the water quality at Blue Mountain Beach? We will be staying at Adagio in a couple of weeks and with small children, I'm concerned about the water testing. Does anyone know where I can see the water reports for BMB?

Thanks!

http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/beachresults.aspx?county=Walton

Click on Blue Mountain Beach for those results.

Today, the situation is just as bad. In fact, the odor of raw sewage coming from the Gulf Trace out flow is worse today.

Today, the situation is just as bad. In fact, the odor of raw sewage coming from the Gulf Trace out flow is worse today.

Are you sure it's not sulfur? We have a lot of that in our water around here. Smells more like rotten eggs.

There are a lot of septic tanks in Gulf Trace though. Usually the gulf current is east to west. Also after a storm other stuff gets stirred up from creeks, wetlands, and lakes.

I think I'll go check it out.

Very concerned about the waterquality situation...

Thanks to all the previous posters who have posted about the poor water quality on many 30-A beaches. I am concerned about this problem and am considering moving our family vacation to PCB (which i would HATE to do). But all of the surrounding counties have great reports - what is going on with Walton County and why can't this mess get cleaned up, literally?