Gulf Water Quality Results

For what it is worth, our house is close to one of the cypress domes that forms a far northeast 'feeder' water head for the Western Lake basin. Today is the first day I can say it looks like the water level actually went down an inch or so in at least two weeks. I have got to imagine there is lots of inland crud still trickling down toward the gulf. Just a theory.

What can we do as property owners to get the powers that be to diagnose the problem and solve the problem? I mean, those dune lakes have been there forever. What has changed that has made the water quality get so poor? Have some septic tanks been compromised? Is there a problem north of 30A that is the cause? I have no clue, but this must be solved.

Beach water quality - bad!

The SWFD just posted the latest water quality ratings -- http://www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire -- and they're about the worst I can recall - worse than the previous batch, which was bad enough. Does anybody know why this is happening? Did all that rain bring more runoff? I'm just guessing, but am getting worried too.

For what it is worth, our house is close to one of the cypress domes that forms a far northeast 'feeder' water head for the Western Lake basin. Today is the first day I can say it looks like the water level actually went down an inch or so in at least two weeks. I have got to imagine there is lots of inland crud still trickling down toward the gulf. Just a theory.

I was surprised at the volume of water still flowing out at the Western Lake outflow last night.

The problem must be related to the dune lake flushings into the gulf unless the bacteria is also showing up in the bay but ultimately the bacteria comes from our digestive systems...

Okaloosa County has a problem too.

http://nwfdailynews.com/local-news/high-bacteria-levels-measured-in-local-waters-1.17439?tc=cr

Could it be from the bay flushing into the gulf? Does anyone know if they are testing at the mouth of rivers, bayous and creeks? The county really needs to hire a biologist and a civil engineer because I doubt this problem will clear up on it's own.

Could it be from the bay flushing into the gulf? Does anyone know if they are testing at the mouth of rivers, bayous and creeks? The county really needs to hire a biologist and a civil engineer because I doubt this problem will clear up on it's own.

You can look at the maps with the sampling locations county by county here:
http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/default.aspx

Wonder why sites #2 and #6 are missing? Probably need to add some testing sites at the mouth of the feeder creeks and bayous. I am also wondering why there is not more of an attempt to find the problem. It is kind of like we are "wishing" a problem away which has never worked for me...

I called the Walton County Health department three times this summer and emailed once to ask if anyone is doing anything to investigate the cause of the elevated bacteria levels in their tests this season. No response. Maybe if others call they might come up with some response.

Other than the health department, who would have answers for something like this?

I called the Walton County Health department three times this summer and emailed once to ask if anyone is doing anything to investigate the cause of the elevated bacteria levels in their tests this season. No response. Maybe if others call they might come up with some response.

Other than the health department, who would have answers for something like this?

This is from the bottom of the page at the state health dept where the results are listed:
If you have questions or concerns please contact the Department of Health, Water Programs Section at (850) 245-4250.

I would also call Walton County Commissioners individually.

I am not surprised. I was walking on the beach very early one morning and I saw what looked like a lot of charcoal all over down the whole beach. I realized they were very hard tar balls. There must be a lot of that still out there for there to be that much on the beach. Also I don't know about the drinking water either. I started giving my cats and my dog tap water after giving them bottled water for a long time. They drank more of it and two of them started throwing up. The dog had diahrea and was throwing up. Someone mentioned the water to me and I dumped it out and gave them bottled water. The dogs diahrea went away and no one is throwing up anymore. When the cat threw up it was just a lot of water. I know they tell you sometimes about t he bacteria and you should boil your water, but what about when they are not telling you and should. I love the beach, but it really worries me to go swimming in the water and I would never drink the tap water. I have to buy a lot of water for everybody, but it is worth it. The dog was very sick and I took him to the vet. So far I have spent over $200. When I went back to bottled water he did stop with the diahrea, but was still throwing up a little bit. That is getting better as well. I am waiting for a result of a stool sample to be sure he does not have a parasite. I really don't think he does since he is back to normal pretty much. I would have never thought about the water had someone not mentioned it to me. They also appeared to drink much more of the tap water than the bottled water. Maybe something in it makes them thirstier. All I know is no more tap water for any of us. Thanks for all of the information

I think the only viable solution is to sell the TDC on the idea of paying the Dirty Jobs TV show crew a modest sum to come down and film Mike Rowe removing septic tanks while pointing out the beauty of the area. Emeril could cater and Sussana Hoffs could write and perform a peppy theme song about dysentery. All for a small fee, of course.

I am not surprised. I was walking on the beach very early one morning and I saw what looked like a lot of charcoal all over down the whole beach. I realized they were very hard tar balls. There must be a lot of that still out there for there to be that much on the beach. Also I don't know about the drinking water either. I started giving my cats and my dog tap water after giving them bottled water for a long time. They drank more of it and two of them started throwing up. The dog had diahrea and was throwing up. Someone mentioned the water to me and I dumped it out and gave them bottled water. The dogs diahrea went away and no one is throwing up anymore. When the cat threw up it was just a lot of water. I know they tell you sometimes about t he bacteria and you should boil your water, but what about when they are not telling you and should. I love the beach, but it really worries me to go swimming in the water and I would never drink the tap water. I have to buy a lot of water for everybody, but it is worth it. The dog was very sick and I took him to the vet. So far I have spent over $200. When I went back to bottled water he did stop with the diahrea, but was still throwing up a little bit. That is getting better as well. I am waiting for a result of a stool sample to be sure he does not have a parasite. I really don't think he does since he is back to normal pretty much. I would have never thought about the water had someone not mentioned it to me. They also appeared to drink much more of the tap water than the bottled water. Maybe something in it makes them thirstier. All I know is no more tap water for any of us. Thanks for all of the information

Let me give you some money saving advice-give your critters tap water. Dogs and cats eat poo and thrive. So no worries.

I am not surprised. I was walking on the beach very early one morning and I saw what looked like a lot of charcoal all over down the whole beach. I realized they were very hard tar balls. There must be a lot of that still out there for there to be that much on the beach. Also I don't know about the drinking water either. I started giving my cats and my dog tap water after giving them bottled water for a long time. They drank more of it and two of them started throwing up. The dog had diahrea and was throwing up. Someone mentioned the water to me and I dumped it out and gave them bottled water. The dogs diahrea went away and no one is throwing up anymore. When the cat threw up it was just a lot of water. I know they tell you sometimes about t he bacteria and you should boil your water, but what about when they are not telling you and should. I love the beach, but it really worries me to go swimming in the water and I would never drink the tap water. I have to buy a lot of water for everybody, but it is worth it. The dog was very sick and I took him to the vet. So far I have spent over $200. When I went back to bottled water he did stop with the diahrea, but was still throwing up a little bit. That is getting better as well. I am waiting for a result of a stool sample to be sure he does not have a parasite. I really don't think he does since he is back to normal pretty much. I would have never thought about the water had someone not mentioned it to me. They also appeared to drink much more of the tap water than the bottled water. Maybe something in it makes them thirstier. All I know is no more tap water for any of us. Thanks for all of the information

The charcoal looking stuff is most likely peat that was dislodged during the recent storm. I've picked up some of it lately to verify, and it isn't tar balls from the oil spill. Alabama did have some more tar balls wash up, and according to the reports it was pretty much in the same condition as when fresh, which is more squishy and browner than the peat.
We have always had this peat here. It's harmless. But it's covered up a good bit of the time, so you have to be here a while to see it often enough to get familiar with the difference between it and tar balls.

I hope whatever kind of bottled water you are buying is not distilled, which has all the minerals removed. The minerals are essential for health. And also make sure it isn't crap like Dasani, which is tap water filtered and with some minerals added.

I think the only viable solution is to sell the TDC on the idea of paying the Dirty Jobs TV show crew a modest sum to come down and film Mike Rowe removing septic tanks while pointing out the beauty of the area. Emeril could cater and Sussana Hoffs could write and perform a peppy theme song about dysentery. All for a small fee, of course.

I am very concerned about this ongoing issue. Okaloosa is also having bad sampling results. Can we be a blue wave beach and a tourist destination if our waters are a health hazard?

Also quite concerned that visitors and locals alike are not aware of a health issue.

Took the kids to Blue Mtn Beach yesterday. After setting up the lifeguard came over and his exact words "We are not supposed to tell you but I wouldn't put your children in the water. The bacteria levels are too high, the other life guard has gotten sick with diareah. They had us post a sign but its not very visible." Two things are very alarming at this point, first being why aren't they allowed to tell us about the water quality and second, why is the sign purposely put in an inconspicuous location? I am full time resident, homeowner and taxpayer in this county and would really like to know what I can do to get some answers on this problem. Please forgive my ignorance on policy and procedure but can anyone tell me what I can do to help?

Ck the water quality yourself before you go to beach- we do- myflorida.com - healthy beach program-

The charcoal looking stuff is most likely peat that was dislodged during the recent storm. I've picked up some of it lately to verify, and it isn't tar balls from the oil spill. Alabama did have some more tar balls wash up, and according to the reports it was pretty much in the same condition as when fresh, which is more squishy and browner than the peat.
We have always had this peat here. It's harmless. But it's covered up a good bit of the time, so you have to be here a while to see it often enough to get familiar with the difference between it and tar balls.

I hope whatever kind of bottled water you are buying is not distilled, which has all the minerals removed. The minerals are essential for health. And also make sure it isn't crap like Dasani, which is tap water filtered and with some minerals added.

I know this is a tangent, but I love the taste of Dasani. What brands do you recommend?

Why are the lifeguards not allowed to inform the public about the health hazard?

I know this is a tangent, but I love the taste of Dasani.

Oops, sorry BR.

Oops, sorry BR.

No problem.

9 out of 10 dogs that are needlessly given bottled water agree, Dasani is the bomb!

9 out of 10 dogs that are needlessly given bottled water agree, Dasani is the bomb!

When Seagrove has the boil water alerts, Pepper laps up the Dasani like it's crack.