Updated January 7, 2022:
The Glynn County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisories for North Beach at Goulds Inlet (Fifteenth St. to Tenth St.), East Beach Old Coast Guard Station (Tenth Street to Driftwood Drive), and Fifth Street Crossover Beach (Cedar Street to Ninth Street) on St. Simons Island.
The Chatham County Health Department has lifted beach water advisories for South Beach at Chatham Street (18th Street to Inlet Avenue) and and Strand Beach at the Pier (11th Street to 18th Street) on Tybee Island.
The advisories were issued on January 5, 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 advisories have been lifted.
The Chatham and Glynn County Health Departments have issued beach water advisories for the following beach locations:
Tybee Island:
- Strand Beach at the Pier – 11th Street to 18th Street
- South Beach at Chatham Street – 18th Street to Inlet Ave.
St. Simons Island:
- North Beach at Goulds Inlet – Fifteenth St. to Tenth St.
- East Beach Old Coast Guard Station – Tenth St. to Driftwood Dr.
- Fifth Street Crossover Beach – Cedar St. to Ninth St.
[JPG, 2.57 MB]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 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 page.
