Georgia Coastal Health District

Updated August 19, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for North Beach at Dexter Lane (from Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane) and Middle Beach at the Convention Center (from the beach pavilion to Corsair Beach Park) on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on August 17, 2021 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Subsequent water samples show the bacteria level has dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

August 17, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued beach water advisories for North Beach at Dexter Lane (from Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane) and Middle Beach at the Convention Center (from the beach pavilion to Corsair Beach Park) on Jekyll Island.

The advisory is only for the area specified above and does not impact other beach areas on the island. There is no way of knowing if going into water that is under advisory will result in illness. However, beach water advisories are to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. An area under advisory does not mean the beach is closed.

Water samples are collected routinely on Georgia’s islands throughout the year. The samples are tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife. It is difficult to determine exactly where the bacteria come from, but some sources could include animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste. When a beach is under advisory, it means that the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.

The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in the area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from this 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. For more information For more information, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.

A discharge of oil occurred today during the lifting of a section of the Golden Ray wreck and as a result, the Coastal Health District is alerting swimmers and recreational fishers to the potential presence of oil in the water and on the beaches around Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island.

As responders with the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command use multiple mitigation measures to contain any pollutants, we advise the public to stay alert for oil in the water and on the sand. Oil that reaches the coastline may be in the form of bands or small, sticky globules and may be encountered by individuals who are swimming or fishing.

If you step on a tar ball or get oil on your skin, wash off the oil with soap and clean water. There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing – these could be harmful to you.

If you see a sheen of oil on the surface of the water, get out of the water and report the sheen to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Do not swim or fish in an area with a visible oil sheen.

For additional information on the incident response, monitor the response website at www.ssiresponse.com.

Update: July 28, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Captain Wylly Road Crossover Beach, which is from Brice Lane to the beach pavilion on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on July 27, 2021 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Subsequent water samples show the bacteria level has dropped below the 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.

July 27, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Capt. Wylly Road Crossover 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. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.

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 this week, 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.

GLYNN COUNTY, GA –The Coastal Health District is alerting swimmers and recreational fishers to the presence of oil on the beaches and water around Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. As the cutting operations continue on the capsized motor vehicle carrier Golden Ray, occasional discharges of oil are occurring. Some of the oil is reaching the coastline in the form of small, sticky globules and may be encountered by individuals who are swimming or fishing.

Responders with the St. Simons Sound Incident Unified Command are working to contain any pollutants and remove any oily substances that reach the shore. The public is advised to remain alert for oil in the water or the sand. If you step on a tar ball or get oil on your skin, wash off the oil with soap and clean water. There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing – these could be harmful to you.

If you see a sheen of oil on the surface of the water, get out of the water and report the sheen to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Do not swim or fish in an area with a visible oil sheen.

For additional information on the incident response, monitor the response website at www.ssiresponse.com.