How often does this happen??? This is so upsetting. Hey kids, you can play on the beach, you just can't go in or touch the water bc there's S*** in it!
So naturally we are upset that we are down for 2 weeks at our house in Blue Mtn Beach and have friends coming in AND now we can't swim in the water bc of high levels of fecal contamination!!!
How often does this happen??? This is so upsetting. Hey kids, you can play on the beach, you just can't go in or touch the water bc there's S*** in it!
How often does this happen??? This is so upsetting. Hey kids, you can play on the beach, you just can't go in or touch the water bc there's S*** in it!
Replies
54
Beach Fanatic
More and more often during summer months because of all the people. We have septic tanks on the lakes and the gulf. Yes, there are septic tanks under the beautiful sand just east of you at Gulf Trace in Grayton Beach. Those people are playing right on top of tanks and drain fields.
This website is the only place you'll learn the truth about South Walton.
This website is the only place you'll learn the truth about South Walton.
Beach Fanatic
You can see how often it is reported in this thread - Gulf Water Quality Results
SoWal Guide
Happens every summer at certain spots due to runoff. Doesn't last long.
Beach LoverAuthor
Happens every summer at certain spots due to runoff. Doesn't last long.What does this mean? A day or two or three? Clarification please...
Trying to decide if it's worth our friends driving 9 hours!
Beach Crab
I have the same issue. We are driving down tomorrow for the week. I suppose we could load up and move down the beach to another location until Tues, when the report comes out. Hope it's cleared up in that report.
SoWal Guide
What does this mean? A day or two or three? Clarification please...The latest water test results should be out today or very soon.
Trying to decide if it's worth our friends driving 9 hours!
Beach Fanatic
What does this mean? A day or two or three? Clarification please...Depends on weather and crowds. 4th of July week is the most crowded and septic tanks are flowing heavy. Combine that with a lot of rain and it's a even bigger problem.
Trying to decide if it's worth our friends driving 9 hours!
Banned
June 28, 2016
WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH
SAMPLING RESULTS
~Two Advisories Issued for This Sampling Period~
Health Advisories have been issued for the Miramar Beach Access and the Blue Mountain
Beach Access based on the enterococci standard recommended by the EPA. This should be
considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
WALTON COUNTY WEEKLY BEACH
SAMPLING RESULTS
~Two Advisories Issued for This Sampling Period~
Health Advisories have been issued for the Miramar Beach Access and the Blue Mountain
Beach Access based on the enterococci standard recommended by the EPA. This should be
considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
Beach Fanatic
We spent a week in Pigeon Force during Christmas week this past winter, to enjoy the feeling of a Christmas wonderland, and mountain chills, and to enjoy snow-tubing at Ober Gatlinburg....it rained and was in the 50's the first three days; when we went to Ober on the fourth day, with a bit of sun and low 60's. The folks at Ober could barely keep the artificial snow-making machines going fast enough to make a spit of "snow" (slush) for the tubers; the poor snow-skiers had super-skinny "trails" of slushy, muddy, artificial snow that would widen out to snow bogs at turns....it was quite depressing. Mostly, we all just got hot and wet......I could have stayed home and got that, but that is the way stuff goes sometimes.
The good news is that there is plenty of "un-signed" beach in SOWAL for guests to chose from besides that fronting the leaching cesspools of BMB, and select other areas. The key is to monitor the water reports and base where you lay and play dependent on where the water quality is good...(seriously, this being 2016, you'd think the homes still having leaching septic drain fields in the dunes would have long-since been connected to utility sewer service.....one can't expect this area be considered a "jewel" to our potential guests if they get wind--no pun intended--that we're merely polishing the Proverbial turd).
The good news is that there is plenty of "un-signed" beach in SOWAL for guests to chose from besides that fronting the leaching cesspools of BMB, and select other areas. The key is to monitor the water reports and base where you lay and play dependent on where the water quality is good...(seriously, this being 2016, you'd think the homes still having leaching septic drain fields in the dunes would have long-since been connected to utility sewer service.....one can't expect this area be considered a "jewel" to our potential guests if they get wind--no pun intended--that we're merely polishing the Proverbial turd).
Beach Fanatic
I'd love to see organized (county?) effort to migrate folks on septic over to sewer where it's available. There's no excuse for polluting our water when there is an alternative.
Beach Lover
The latest water test results should be out today or very soon.www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire
Beach Lover
It happens every time we get a bunch of rain and/or when the lake outfalls open up. This is just one of the few times people are actually aware of it.
Beach Fanatic
Try some of the public beaches that are in areas with good ratings but get there early. We love Grayton Beach State Park. You'll pay for parking but there are no buildings on the dunes, there are picnic tables (and i think grills), and bathrooms (and I think showers). We loved it there. Again, get there as soon as it opens to get parking.
SoWal Guide
www.facebook.com/southwaltonfireThe South Walton Fire District Facebook page is an excellent source for beach conditions. I use it regularly. Still no new results but they do provide good clarification on the water quality issue.
Banned
The South Walton Fire District Facebook page is an excellent source for beach conditions. I use it regularly. Still no new results but they do provide good clarification on the water quality issue.
Calling the actual FL Dept. Health is a novel concept. The FL.Dept of Health also has a Facebook page.
Florida Department of Health (DOH)
SoWal Guide
Calling the actual FL Dept. Health is a novel concept. The FL.Dept of Health also has a Facebook page.Good general info on their website too. Blue Mountain Beach still showing poor quality from 7/29. Anyone see new testing results?
Florida Department of Health (DOH)
I always look to SWFD for their advisories on all things beach safety. They are such pros. Reporting facts and what we need to know!
Beach Fanatic
I'd love to see organized (county?) effort to migrate folks on septic over to sewer where it's available. There's no excuse for polluting our water when there is an alternative.I thought there is a state EPA? requirement that once sewer service is available to your property, you had one year to hook up and discontinue using the septic system.
Beach LoverAuthor
I thought there is a state EPA? requirement that once sewer service is available to your property, you had one year to hook up and discontinue using the septic system.
Was joking with hubby---the word would get out easily, as to which areas are unhealthy areas, by just hanging a brown flag with the other beach condition flags!
Banned
Was joking with hubby---the word would get out easily, as to which areas are unhealthy areas, by just hanging a brown flag with the other beach condition flags!
You bought a home in BMB? Are you on a septic system? Did you know most of the homes in BMB are on septic? Do you understand the drain fields? What did you think would happen during a hurricane or extensive rains?
Beach Fanatic
We had a home in Crystal Beach (Destin) that was on septic. I built it new in 1993. When sewer came on our street we were required to hookup within one year.
Maybe a Destin specific ordinance?
Sure seems like a good idea to me?
Again, as in many SoWal threads...
WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP???
Maybe a Destin specific ordinance?
Sure seems like a good idea to me?
Again, as in many SoWal threads...
WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP???
SoWal Insider
There are photos on this website of exposed septic tanks, after a hurricane, on the beach on Gulf Shore Drive just west of Grayton Beach. My guess is the effluent flowing through the sand continues to this day. There is no excuse for this scenario.
Banned
Teresa...no disrespect but who do you call when you need police? You do have a BCC member who has also fought for all of you but she is one voice.
This website gives us an opportunity to make a somewhat informed decision about who we vote for along with attending BCC meetings and watching what these people do and vote for that is not in your best interests. You know as do most of us who has developers in their back pockets (or front ones) and you certainly know who has agendas as far as beach vending goes.
You also know because of the grand jury investigation that money went missing and who was in charge of County financing and it wasn't just the auditor we have kept on payroll after those missing funds were discovered. That ex finance director is running again!
Accountability is a 2 way street and if people don't demand it from their elected officials and keep voting for the garbage that continues to be recycled in this county then they have no reason to expect anything different.
A new broom sweeps clean.
This website gives us an opportunity to make a somewhat informed decision about who we vote for along with attending BCC meetings and watching what these people do and vote for that is not in your best interests. You know as do most of us who has developers in their back pockets (or front ones) and you certainly know who has agendas as far as beach vending goes.
You also know because of the grand jury investigation that money went missing and who was in charge of County financing and it wasn't just the auditor we have kept on payroll after those missing funds were discovered. That ex finance director is running again!
Accountability is a 2 way street and if people don't demand it from their elected officials and keep voting for the garbage that continues to be recycled in this county then they have no reason to expect anything different.
A new broom sweeps clean.
SoWal Guide
Yes. Cindy Meadows has mostly been an excellent ONE voice for South Walton. That's it. I appreciate her knowledge and experience. Will continue to support her. But it's just not nearly enough.
Our public safety is pretty much covered well. Can we do better with a police presence? Yes. I think we could.
Our public safety is pretty much covered well. Can we do better with a police presence? Yes. I think we could.
Banned
Yes. Cindy Meadows has mostly been an excellent ONE voice for South Walton. That's it. I appreciate her knowledge and experience. Will continue to support her. But it's just not nearly enough.
Our public safety is pretty much covered well. Can we do better with a police presence? Yes. I think we could.
The Sheriff just did his weekly online video (mostly all done from places in SoWal) where he has said they are hiring. I think the police could do better just in general but I have never had an issue with them not showing up when I've had to make a call. I may not have liked or agreed with the outcome but I think politics plays to big a part in law enforcement in general and it shouldn't.
Have you talked to the other Commissioners and do you understand their position on beach vending? You actually have 2 on your side that I know of but if C. Jones manages to get T. Anderson elected you are screwed. That's a fact! And it's a very dangerous alliance.
Bill Chapman wouldn't even vote yes on the removal of signs, chains, ropes and fences so he's not really (in my opinion) sympathetic to the beach vendor issue either. The only hope the South has of even challenging this issue is to get one more voice on the BCC other than Imfield.
Beach Fanatic
Was joking with hubby---the word would get out easily, as to which areas are unhealthy areas, by just hanging a brown flag with the other beach condition flags!Yes! We need a brown flag! Please SWFD.
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