Georgia Coastal Health District

Updated October 26, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for the South Beach at the lighthouse, which is from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island

The advisory was issued on October 25, 2022, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

October 25, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for South Beach at the lighthouse, which extends from 9th Street to the pier on St. Simons Island.

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Georgia beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife. When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the areas under advisory.

Fish and other seafood caught from these areas should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters. The area will be re tested this week, and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.

For the most up-to-date information about beach water advisories along the Georgia coast, visit gahealthybeaches.org to access the Georgia Beach Map App. The app includes information about beach water-testing segments and the latest bacteria counts.

Updated September 14, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories for Fifth Street Crossover Beach (Cedar Street to Ninth Street) and South Beach at the Lighthouse (Ninth Street to the pier).

The advisories were issued on September 14, 2022 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers. Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

September 13, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued two beach water advisories on St. Simons Island. Advisories have been issued for:

• Fifth Street Crossover Beach – Cedar Street to Ninth Street
• South Beach at Lighthouse – Ninth Street to the Pier

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.

Updated August 31, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories for Fifth Street Crossover Beach (Cedar Street to Ninth Street) and South Beach at the Lighthouse (Ninth Street to the pier).

The advisories were issued on August 30, 2022 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers. Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

The Glynn County Health Department has issued two beach water advisories on St. Simons Island. Advisories have been issued for:

• Fifth Street Crossover Beach – Cedar Street to Ninth Street
• South Beach at Lighthouse – Ninth Street to the Pier

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.

Updated August 24, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Oceanview Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the Beach Pavilion on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on August 23, 2022, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers. Subsequent water samples showed the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

August 23, 2022:

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Oceanview Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the Beach Pavilion on Jekyll Island.

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced:
en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The area will be re-tested and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing page.

Updated August 2, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Great Dunes Beach, which extends from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island. The advisory was issued on July 26, 2022, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

After resampling the affected area, water samples show the bacteria level had dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

There are currently no beach water advisories on Jekyll Island.

Updated July 29, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted one of the two beach water advisories for Jekyll Island. The advisories were issued on July 26, 2022, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

After resampling both affected beach areas, water samples show the bacteria level had dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits at Glory Beach, from the South Water Tower to Macy Lane on Jekyll Island. Therefore, the advisory for Glory Beach has been lifted.

A sample was also taken from the Great Dunes Beach area for retesting, but the water was too muddy for analysis. A fresh sample will be taken from the beach on Monday, August 1 for retesting. In the meantime, the water quality advisory remains in place for Great Dunes Beach, which extends from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.

July 26, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued two beach water advisories on Jekyll Island. Advisories have been issued for:

• Great Dunes Beach: from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park
• Glory Beach: from the South Water Tower to Macy Lane

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The areas will be re-tested this week, and the advisories will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards.

Updated June 15, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth Street, on St. Simons Island.

The advisory was issued on June 14, 2022 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers. Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

For more information about beach water advisories, go to www.coastalhealthdistrict.org and click on the Environmental Health tab at the top of the page.

June 14, 2022

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a beach water advisory for the Fifth Street Crossover Beach, which is from Cedar Street to Ninth Street on St. Simons Island.

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples at Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The test screens for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. Periodic advisories are not unusual, and sources of the bacteria could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.

The advisory does NOT mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.