Gulf Water Quality Results

I am appalled at what is going on with the Gulf waters and our supposedly pristine coastal dune lakes. No where else in the world are coastal dune lakes other than Australia. This is a disgusting situation which must be solved immediately!!!!!

I am appalled at what is going on with the Gulf waters and our supposedly pristine coastal dune lakes. No where else in the world are coastal dune lakes other than Australia. This is a disgusting situation which must be solved immediately!!!!!

The Dunes Lakes are a real treasure of South Walton.

See Elam Stoltzfus's site about South Walton Dune Lakes. Also see his short documentary.

http://www.coastaldunelakes.org/home.html

Only a few places in the world can lay claim to nature's rate Coastal Dune Lakes. New Zealand's Northland, Australia's Queensland, Madagascar, and Florida's Northwest Gulf Coast are home to these natural wonders. This alone qualifies them as an incredibly rare phenomenon, worthy of discovery and exploration.

The coastline of Northwest Florida is known as one of the "world's most beautiful beaches". The lakes are generally permanent water bodies, although water levels may fluctuate substantially due to rain, groundwater seepage through the surrounding coastal sands, and storms. Sand dunes ranging in height from a few feet to more than 30 feet separate the lakes from the Gulf of Mexico.

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance has quite a bit of research, reports and other information on their website regarding the dune lakes.
http://www.basinalliance.org/page.cfm?articleID=47

We really appreciate CBA's work. They are always seeking volunteers to help with projects. Just saw this on their site under October events. Anyone interested?

• All month--water monitoring occurring at over 140 sampling sites throughout the area. If you are interested in volunteering or you want to learn more about CBA's monitoring program--please contact us!

Maybe I am asking you to be a little more connected to the community issues that are considered tourist negative. The only motive for me to do this is because I care about the community including tourist. You are providing a good community platform to launch tourist positive activities however I am challenging you to improve your game in these areas like water quality. You and I have no idea what the "true picture" is because we do not have enough information. I do not think you would allow "rude" behavior if it was unrelated to a tourist positive theme "come on down to our beautiful clean beaches where the beach waters are beautiful and clean". IMO you will allow the team to fight it out when the game is tourist positive but you will step in when it is tourist negative.

Water quality is a serious issue and we are going to need experts to tell us what the problem is. What if the problem was due to just more people being in the water? We are going to keep asking questions regardless of how ridiculous they may be until we have a "clear picture". If I am asking too much of you then just say that. You are part of what makes this community a better place and I appreciate it very much. Frustration generally clouds the picture and you see your job as one that improves the contrast but has nothing to do with light and texture but I am asking for you to add some light or at least be aware of the lack of it. Of course I am strictly speaking of tourist negative issues because this website nails anything and everything that is fun to do and fun to eat in our paradise. If I am "whining" because I want something then it is only because I want to avoid the crying if something is not done and we find out "oh, if we had only taken this seriously"!

It's certainly not a new issue. There have been studies and workshops and all kinds of county level work on water quality and dune lakes over the years please see above info from CBA

This discussion is not new on SoWal. We don't have positive/negative tourist issues. We have community issues. They are issues that require work regardless of tourism or any other industry here.

Once again it is the participants of this site who decide which issues are covered here and to what extent. The forum categories have evolved over the years to reflect what the community has decided they like covering. That evolution is never ending.

The people who live here love living here. They are a very positive group. And very involved in their community.

Water quality is an issue in many places. We have other critical Environmental, infrastructure and service needs as well. And not all due to tourism. The rate of growth here has always been huge. Is our county system of govt adequate to meet these challenges? For me, this is the big question.

All anyone can effectively do when passionate about any issue is to do some work, get involved and connected, and be constructive when discussing issues in any forum or setting. It can often feel very frustrating in the process.

All anyone can effectively do when passionate about any issue is to do some work, get involved and connected, and be constructive when discussing issues in any forum or setting. It can often feel very frustrating in the process.

Can SoWal.com keep us (especially those of us who aren't residents) in the loop regarding what we can do to be involved? We spend a lot of time in South Walton and will spend more time here after our home is finished in December because it will not be a rental.

We have attended many Planning Commission and BCC meetings in the past due to an issue in Seagrove regarding which we were passionate. So we are willing to drive down from GA, send emails, write letters, etc.

Thanks.

There is never a good reason for someone not to be kind to others. Everyone has there opinions and their own experiences which very well maybe different than someone elses. I really think there is an attitude on this forum to play down issues because it is a tourist read website therefore the unkindness or bullying attitude must come from the purpose of the website which is to promote tourism. Apparently, you can not have an open forum about the issues affecting those that live and work here and promote tourism at the same time. I think the moderators of this website need to just be honest and tell us not to post anything that would affect tourism unless it is positive otherwise it will lead to exactly what is happening regarding this topic- rude and condescending behavior toward those that may or may not be overreacting to this issue of water quality (both tap and gulf/bay/river). The City of Freeport has had issues with water quality in addition to the breaks in the mains as I get a report from them on a regular basis. The water quality for the beaches and bays are unacceptable IMO. Moderators, if you do not want us discussing this issue on this website just delete the thread otherwise do not set the tone that allows for this behavior.

Thank you! I don't think bullying of any sort for any reason is acceptable anymore. It is unkind and hurtful and I have never understood why people have to post mean words to anyone for any reason. Especially when an adult is doing it. We wonder why kids are so cruel! That is all I have to say about the issue and I never would have got off of the top at hand if James would not had been such a child. You can think what you want, but some things should never be put into words!

Bravo mputnal3!!!!!!!!!! Very well put!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!! Some people just never grow up!!

maybe i am asking you to be a little more connected to the community issues that are considered tourist negative. The only motive for me to do this is because i care about the community including tourist. You are providing a good community platform to launch tourist positive activities however i am challenging you to improve your game in these areas like water quality. You and i have no idea what the "true picture" is because we do not have enough information. I do not think you would allow "rude" behavior if it was unrelated to a tourist positive theme "come on down to our beautiful clean beaches where the beach waters are beautiful and clean". Imo you will allow the team to fight it out if the rude behavior supports a possible "over-reaction" to a tourist negative issue. Yes, i believe the moderators have some responsibility in setting this tone of playing down a tourist negative issue and poster's pick up on it.

Water quality is a serious issue and we are going to need experts to tell us what the problem is. What if the problem was due to just more people being in the water? We are going to keep asking questions regardless of how ridiculous they may be until we have a "clear picture". If i am asking too much of you then just say that. You are part of what makes this community a better place and i appreciate it very much. Frustration generally clouds the picture and you see your job as one that improves the contrast but has nothing to do with light and texture but i am asking for you to add some light and texture or at least be aware of the lack of it. Of course i am strictly speaking of tourist negative issues because this website nails anything and everything that is fun to do and fun to eat in our paradise. If i am "whining" because i want something then it is only because i want to avoid the crying if something is not done and we find out "oh, if we had only taken this seriously"!

Well Said!!

I received an email from surfrider.org. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. They have a link to a form letter (http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5423) that you might want to send to the EPA. I plan to personalize it so that it conveys the poor water test results, yet the lack of action by any agency to fix the problem. Apparently 1 out of 28 people get sick due to going to the beach.

EPA Site

I received an email from surfrider.org. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. They have a link to a form letter (http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5423) that you might want to send to the EPA. I plan to personalize it so that it conveys the poor water test results, yet the lack of action by any agency to fix the problem. Apparently 1 out of 28 people get sick due to going to the beach.

Well, I for one wrote to the site above regarding the water quality. If everyone sends a message perhaps they will investigate. At least it is a start. That was a startling percentage listed above (1 out of 28 people get sick at the beach). Such beautiful water to be making people sick. Thanks Beach Runner for the information!!

Well, I for one wrote to the site above regarding the water quality. If everyone sends a message perhaps they will investigate. At least it is a start. That was a startling percentage listed above (1 out of 28 people get sick at the beach). Such beautiful water to be making people sick. Thanks Beach Runner for the information!!

You're welcome.

I received an email from surfrider.org. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. They have a link to a form letter (http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5423) that you might want to send to the EPA. I plan to personalize it so that it conveys the poor water test results, yet the lack of action by any agency to fix the problem. Apparently 1 out of 28 people get sick due to going to the beach.

To clarify, nowhere does it say "1 out of 28 people that go to the beach get sick". Apparently the EPA finds this to be an acceptable value-whether or not this is so, I'm not sure, perhaps someone can figure that out. And to further clarify, the '1 in 28' value is for the whole country, not SOWAL, Florida, California...everywhere, and may or may not be limited to salt water. I imagine the '1 in 28' value is analogous to the infamous minimum number of acceptable insect parts in food the Agriculture Dept. sets.

A good contact to start looking into this would be Cindy Meadows. She lives in old Seagrove-rememeber though, she does not assume office until after the runoff election.

And if anyone wants to do a little leg work, I have noticed a sewerage type odor on 395 just north of Seagrove Market area, and there is some sort of pumping house looking structure there, on the west side of the highway. Maybe it is a factor, maybe not. But if Holly Street is the epicenter of unwholesome water, this would be a potential issue.

To clarify, nowhere does it say "1 out of 28 people that go to the beach get sick". Apparently the EPA finds this to be an acceptable value-whether or not this is so, I'm not sure, perhaps someone can figure that out. And to further clarify, the '1 in 28' value is for the whole country, not SOWAL, Florida, California...everywhere, and may or may not be limited to salt water. I imagine the '1 in 28' value is analogous to the infamous minimum number of acceptable insect parts in food the Agriculture Dept. sets.

A good contact to start looking into this would be Cindy Meadows. She lives in old Seagrove-rememeber though, she does not assume office until after the runoff election.

And if anyone wants to do a little leg work, I have noticed a sewerage type odor on 395 just north of Seagrove Market area, and there is some sort of pumping house looking structure there, on the west side of the highway. Maybe it is a factor, maybe not. But if Holly Street is the epicenter of unwholesome water, this would be a potential issue.

The "1 out of 28" quote was from a Surfrider.org email which I have deleted (or else I would attach a pdf of it). In the context in which I read it, it was referring to beaches in general, not SoWal.

Do you have Cindy's email address? I have deleted the old email from her in Outlook. She helped us stop a developer from overbuilding on a lot next to us in Seagrove. I feel bad that it cost him a lot of money, but it was the right thing to do for Seagrove. We see him occasionally and exchange greetings. You know how (according to my poor memory) 4 homes are going up in Seagrove where Seagrove Villas used to be? Well, this person was proposing 8 homes on a smaller piece of beachfront property. Thankfully my husband has SketchUp skillz and did a three-D model of what an eyesore that would be. Cindy helped us with her support at the BCC.

That smell has been there ever since we were building our home in 2002. I always roll up my windows there, even if we are just arriving in Seagrove and are anxious to smell the Gulf.

interesting article

i read this article and immediately it made me wonder if something like this may have been going on in SoWal during last year's beach sampling. i still wonder if TPTB are even aware of the situation and if so, have they given any thought to fixing the problem...

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120508/COLUMNIST/120509609

i read this article and immediately it made me wonder if something like this may have been going on in SoWal during last year's beach sampling. i still wonder if TPTB are even aware of the situation and if so, have they given any thought to fixing the problem...

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120508/COLUMNIST/120509609

Very interesting. My gut feeling was it was due to the increasing dog poop -- I've seen a marked increase in doggy doo along road sides around here., especially near the beaches. I wonder if that has increased the rat and racoon populations.

With respect to TPTB, I've still no idea if they're even investigating. Last time I called the state they through out the theory that it could be bird feces related and heavier last year due to the increased seaweed/sargassum holding and concentrating bird droppings like a sponge. It would be nice if they could pin down the contaminant source with a DNA test here too. May have nothing to do with the human septic systems as everyone has been speculating.

P.S. Is there a storm sewer drainage pipe at Holly Street? That was a frequent high offender last year.

so, we are coming down in may. will they post advisories at the beaches, along rosemary, if the water is above the level for their guidelines? will the lifeguards enforce it?

Lifeguards don't enforce anything. Not their job. Any postings are advisory only. Swim at your own risk.

But I haven't heard of any bad reports since last year. If it starts up in June again my bet would be on tourist poop on overtaxed systems. Gotta get rid of the septic tanks on lakes, wetlands, and beaches.

only a couple of weeks til we are at rosemary! ahhhhh

saw there were a couple of advisories in april for water quality around grayton and holly st. i hope that if we need to stay out of the water(small kids), then someone will tell us.

only a couple of weeks til we are at rosemary! ahhhhh

saw there were a couple of advisories in april for water quality around grayton and holly st. i hope that if we need to stay out of the water(small kids), then someone will tell us.

We're currently vacationing, and we're wondering about the quality of the water. We were at Seagrove Beach Access across from Hidden Beach Villas..we usually love the beach there. we were very disheartened by the foul odor coming from the water, it was not the pristine, clean smelling water of two years ago at this time. the beach was noticeably dirty looking as well. Another thing we noticed was the absence of hundreds of ghost crabs roaming...we did not see one, and we were definitely looking!

Here's the site:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdwalton/Env_Health/Healthy_Beaches.htm
The closest place to Hidden Dunes that is tested is Holly Street. Unfortunately Holly Street frequently tests bad yet it's not close enough to Hidden Dunes to really tell you anything.

There's no place near our walkover where they test. I think I'm going to buy a test kit and test the water myself. I recently got over a MRSA after being broken out for months. The doc said that it would be good for me to go into the Gulf to heal my dry skin (a result of the treatment for staph) as long as the water is clean.

Here's the site:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdwalton/Env_Health/Healthy_Beaches.htm
The closest place to Hidden Dunes that is tested is Holly Street. Unfortunately Holly Street frequently tests bad yet it's not close enough to Hidden Dunes to really tell you anything.

There's no place near our walkover where they test. I think I'm going to buy a test kit and test the water myself. I recently got over a MRSA after being broken out for months. The doc said that it would be good for me to go into the Gulf to heal my dry skin (a result of the treatment for staph) as long as the water is clean.

Beach Runner, Thanks for the Water Quality updates. We are, like you, part-timers (for the time being). If there is anything we can do to assist in the effort to keep our slice of paradise clean, let me know. We own in Santa Rosa (do not rent) and want to do all we can to keep SoWal clean and green.

Beach Runner, Thanks for the Water Quality updates. We are, like you, part-timers (for the time being). If there is anything we can do to assist in the effort to keep our slice of paradise clean, let me know. We own in Santa Rosa (do not rent) and want to do all we can to keep SoWal clean and green.

You are welcome.

Do any of you reading this thread know what type of water testing kit I'd need to test the Gulf water at our closest beach access? Oh, and how much it would cost? Right now I have no clue about this. I know how to test a swimming pool and "shock" it if it is really dirty, but I can't exactly "shock" the Gulf.

You are welcome.

Do any of you reading this thread know what type of water testing kit I'd need to test the Gulf water at our closest beach access? Oh, and how much it would cost? Right now I have no clue about this. I know how to test a swimming pool and "shock" it if it is really dirty, but I can't exactly "shock" the Gulf.

I'll check with a few scientists I happen to know and let you know what I find out.