We have done Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and now move on to Florida. Again a short one as the same study so some of the same information. This focus on the Florida panhandle.
The Florida Panhandle, a prime summer vacation destination for thousands of southeast Louisiana residents, is home to six of the Sunshine State’s beaches that most often test positive for fecal coliform bacteria, according to a new report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center. Two are in the Pensacola area, four in the Panama City area. In the Pensacola area, both Bayou Texar and Bayou Chico empty into Pensacola Bay but neither in the immediate vicinity of a public beach promoted by Visit Pensacola, a nonprofit that promotes tourism. “Due to the known conditions of these two areas, permanent signage has been installed warning of the water conditions,” said Darien Schaefer, the organization’s president and CEO. “Visit Pensacola continues to work closely with the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program to ensure that our beaches are swimmable for all,” Schaefer said. “The Estuary Program and partners are working diligently to make investments in monitoring efforts, identify potential bacterial sources and rectify identified issues through water quality improvement projects. Through these efforts, we will work to ensure that Pensacola area beaches are a safe destination for both visitors and locals, for generations to come.”
nola.com
This, as well as the others, came from a national study that looked at 330 beaches in 29 states wuth 10% having fecal bacteria problems. I have just looked at the Gulf states with Texas the only missing one so far.
In the Panama City area, the report cites beaches at Beach Drive, Delwood, Carl Gray Park and DuPont Bridge. Fecal bacteria can lead to stomach problems, lung illnesses, ear and eye infections and skin rashes. Common causes for spikes in waterborne bacteria include runoff from streets and other paved surfaces, sewerage overflows, failed septic systems, pet waste and manure and fertilizer from farms.
Fore warned is fore armed so if you re going to any of these just take precatution
