Health District Warns of Bacteria in Water

Published in the Galveston Daily News
07/28/06
by Scott E. Williams

Galveston - Thousands visit Galveston County’s beaches annually, looking for fun in the sun and relaxation on the beach.

Regardless of whether they know it, swimmers at many area beaches have found something else, in the past few days — fecal bacteria.

Recent rains have washed animal feces and other waste into the waters surrounding the island and the Bolivar Peninsula. The higher-than-normal bacteria levels that result could pose a health risk to some.

The health district routinely checks 46 spots in Galveston and on the Bolivar Peninsula. Officials found high levels of bacteria at 27 of them.

Kurt Koopmann, public-information officer for the Galveston County Health District, said people with open sores or weakened immune systems should avoid the afflicted areas.

“Most healthy people will not be affected,” he said. “The worst case, for someone who consumes the water, might be a slight case of gastroenteritis.”

Koopmann said the health district had received no reports of illness caused by exposure to the bacteria, as of Thursday. Beach Patrol Assistant Director Peter Davis said isle lifeguards had not encountered anyone on the beach suffering adverse effects from the bacteria.

Beach Patrol has marked the bacteria-rich areas with flags.

The beach-safety agency has historically flown blue flags above guard towers to warn of marine life and red flags to warn of dangerous tides.

This year, Beach Patrol has debuted a new flag. The orange pennant is an “environmental alert flag,” Davis said.

The flag signifies the presence of potentially harmful agents in the air or water near the tower bearing the pennant.

Beach Patrol acquired the new flags through a grant from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Koopmann said continuing dry weather could mean the bacteria levels would recede to safer levels by Saturday.

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