The Glynn County Health Department, in conjunction with the Jekyll Island Authority and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), announced today that St. Andrews Beach (from Macy Lane to the St. Andrews Beach picnic area) and Clam Creek Beach (from Clam Creek to beach kilometer marker 1) on Jekyll Island will be placed under permanent advisory due to continually elevated bacteria levels. No other beaches on the island are affected by the advisory.
The DNR will also begin monitoring the water at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island once a week year-round. Driftwood Beach is located on the north end of the island. The three agencies agree that implementing the changes is in the best interest of all who use the St. Andrews, Clam Creek, and Driftwood Beach areas for recreation.
A permanent advisory indicates that there is a continual potential human health risk and therefore swimming and wading are advised against. In addition, 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.
In accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance, a permanent advisory can be issued “under conditions such as naturally occurring organisms that are present in the water or human influences that cause a continuous or reoccurring water quality standard exceedance.”
Georgia’s beach water monitoring program is part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) federal Clean Water Act. As part of the program, water along the Georgia coast is tested regularly for the presence of enterococci bacteria. If bacteria levels are elevated in any particular area, an advisory is issued by the local health department and the public is notified of possible risks associated with the bacteria. Elevated levels of bacteria can come from any number of sources including animal waste, storm water runoff, or boating waste.
For more information on beach water advisories, go click HERE or go to coastalgadnr.org.
