Georgia Coastal Health District

Updated Dec. 8, 2021:

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 December 7, 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 taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

Dec. 7, 2021:

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.

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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 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.

Update: November 24, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for Driftwood Beach, which is from Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Ln on Jekyll Island.

The advisory was issued on November 23, 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 showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisory has been lifted.

November 23, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for Driftwood Beach, which is from Beach KM Marker 1 to Tallu Fish Ln on Jekyll Island.

[JPG, 2.57 MB]

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 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.

Update: November 10, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories for Massengale Park Beach and Fifth Street Crossover Beach on St. Simons Island, and for North Beach at Dexter Lane on Jekyll Island.

The advisories were issued on November 9, 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 showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.

November 9, 2021

The Glynn County Health Department has issued three beach water advisories. The affected areas are:

• Massengale Park Beach – from Driftwood Dr. to Cedar St. on St. Simons Island,
• Fifth Street Crossover Beach – from Cedar St. to Ninth St. on St. Simons Island, and
• North Beach at Dexter Lane – from Tallu Fish Ln. to Brice Ln. on Jekyll Island.

[JPG, 2.57 MB]

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on Glynn County beaches throughout the year. The tests screen 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. This does NOT mean the beach is closed. These 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 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, visit our Beach Water Testing Program page.