PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY
“No Swimming” Update

June 28, 2004
Published Houston Chronicle - 06/28/04
Published in abc13.com Eyewitness News - 06/28/04
Published in Port Arthur News - 06/28/04
Published in the San Antonio News - 07/02/04

La Marque — The Galveston County Health District has issued an update to the “No Swimming” advisory posted for three area beaches on Friday. The advisories are still in effect with water samples being tested daily.

District officials have emphasized the following points in regards to these advisories:

• All Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula beaches are open. There are NO beach closures.
• Tourists and the general public should not panic and may continue to enjoy themselves.
• There are NO reports of suspected or confirmed illnesses (e.g. Hepatitis A) associated with this advisory.
• The most likely reason for the increased bacterial counts is due to the heavy rains and runoff of fecal material into area waterways.

The District’s water pollution program under guidance from the State of Texas General Land Office routinely collects water samples to test for certain types of bacteria. When such bacterial counts exceed state standards, an advisory is released to inform the public of potential risk. 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.
“With rain subsiding, it is expected that bacterial levels will return to normal (lower risk) levels in a few days,” says Ronnie Schultz, Manager of Environmental Health Programs at the District. For more information citizens may call the Galveston County Health District at (409) 938-2211 or visit their web site at www.gchd.org.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org