Health warning issued
for beaches in Galveston County

GALVESTON — While the heavy rain from the past week may have been good for our lawns and helped clear the air, it's having the exact opposite effect in Galveston where, even though the flood waters have receded, there is now a warning for visitors to stay out of the water.

The first thing you need to know is that none of the beaches on Galveston Island is closed. Experts say there is certainly no reason for anyone to panic. But there are 'no swimming' advisories in place for three beaches.

Despite a 'no swimming' advisory for some beaches on Galveston Island, Justin Marcum and a fellow tourist from Ohio decided to jump in. He said, "We just came out here from Ohio and we're out here on vacation. So we're out to have a good time."

Still, others say high bacteria levels are reason enough to stay out of the water.

"We're just staying in the condo's pool," one father told Eyewitness News. But a young visitor said, "I'm really bummed out. I can't go on the boogie boards any more."

Galveston County health district officials say the increased bacteria presence in the water can be traced back to the area's recent wet weather.

Ronnie Schultz with the Galveston County Health District explained, "It could be from faulty septic systems or sanitary sewer overflows. And it could be from other areas. We've had rain all around southeast Texas. You know, that water is flowing down towards the beaches."

Officials say beach waters will be tested daily until bacteria levels return to normal. "We test for … an indicator bacteria that there is fecal matter in that water," said Schultz.

Right now, beach goers are being advised not to swim in affected waters. The only beaches affected by the advisory are Appfel Park on Galveston's east end, Eight Mile Road and areas of Bolivar Peninsula around Rollover Pass.

But most of the people we spoke with on the island said they didn't know about the advisory and hadn't seen any signs posted. Galveston County officials say the advisories have been ordered and are on the way to the beaches.

Tourist Claire Wheeler felt, "It seems like they could have given more of a warning to people so they would know. But, oh well, I guess we won't get in then."

There is no certainty that people swimming in the water will get sick. But experts say if you have any kind of open wound on your body there is a risk of infection.

Plenty of beaches without swimming advisories remain available to visitors.