Is it really septic tanks to blame? Obviously I would think that is logical, but the lack of information makes me wonder. Would think if it was so simple we could do something. Is it septic, is it dog or cat waste, what is causing it? We need to know what is causing it to fix it.
Good question. I would guess, and it's only a guess, that it is both as well as farm animal waste that I would not be surprised to see turn up in the bay. I have heard and don't know if it is fact or not that there is a test that can identity this, but it is expensive. It seems to me we need more sampling locations, including the dune lakes, and more beach locations and more bay locations. And we need more frequent testing. The limited tests that we get now will stop over the winter, according to the state health dept website. Budget cutbacks.
Test results would need to be correlated to weather and runoff. It's true we had tons of rain but there were some bad results before the heavy rains started, if I remember correctly.
I don't see how we can find a solution until we know what is really going on. And it won't be cheap - a study should be designed by educated and experienced professional scientists, and more testing will be expensive also.
Oh, and we would also need to identify all the septic tank locations. I suspect this might be harder than it appears at first glance.
So - a thorough, science-based investigation with recommended solutions.
Anyone out there see the money or the political will for this?