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Toxins
in gulf water
surpass state standard
June 27, 2004
www.news24houston.com
by Mariana Stanley
It's not only
the rain that's kept tourists away from Galveston beaches.
Now, health officials say there’s a health
risk involved.
"One of the ones that is a definite possibility
is hepatitis A. That would be one that you know, most people
would be concerned with,” Kurt Koopmann from the Galveston
Health District says.
Koopmann says the high levels of bacteria detected
Friday were caused by contaminated storm runoff.
As a precaution, the health department issued
a "No Swimming" water advisory for several beaches
located throughout the island.
"And the three beaches that they were
issued for are Eight Mile Road, Apffel Park and then there
are several locations on the Rollover Pass area on Bolivar
Peninsula," Koopmann says.
Phillip Mendoza and his family were notified
by officials about the "No Swimming" advisory. Like
many, he didn’t seem too concerned about it.
"I try not to drink any of it, so I just
keep it from like the waist down,” Mendoza says. “I
try not to get any deeper than that.”
Vic Maceo with the Galveston County Sheriff’s
Beach Patrol says since the Texas Beach Watch program was
implemented, they like to keep a close eye on what the health
district is doing.
However, they cannot prohibit anyone from swimming,
if they choose
"We do not make people come out of the
water,” Maceo says. “All we will do is answer
any questions that pertain to it and advise people if we are
asked."
On Sunday, it was hard to tell how many people
are concerned about the advisory, since heavy rains kept many
tourists away.
According to the health department, they will
come out here and test these waters daily.If they feel that
the contaminants are low enough, they will lift the ban.
The health department says it is constantly
monitoring the water to keep the public safe from bacteria
that cause waterborne illnesses.
Read
the full story
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org
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