Since my taking the position with Florida Sea Grant in Escambia County, health advisories have been a concern with many in the community.  Health advisories are issued for bodies of water where fecal bacteria levels are high enough to be a health concern for the public.  Monitoring for such is conducted by several agencies and we follow the Department of Health (DOH).  DOH samples for what we call proxy bacteria in the water.  These are fecal bacteria that are not, in themselves, a health risk but indicate that feces are in the water and pathogens could be present.

The proxy species monitored for marine/estuarine systems is Enterococcus.  This is a species found in the digestive systems of birds and mammals and has a higher tolerance for saltwater than other fecal bacteria.  The presence of this bacteria is not an indication of human waste, but the assumption is that high concentrations are mostly likely due to humans and health advisories are issued for safety reasons.

Samples are collected by DOH near swimming beaches where the public frequents.  In Escambia County there are 13 such beaches monitored.  They are not monitored year-round due to cost.  So, samples are collected during times when people are most likely to be swimming there – spring, summer, fall.  Therefore, some bodies of water are monitored more frequently than others.  Because of this we are not reporting how many health advisories are issued for each, but rather what percent of the samples taken required a health advisory.

The method used by monitors is to collect a sample, using a standard sampling protocol, for analysis within six hours.  A second sample is collected on site in case the first sample is high and required repeat analysis can be conducted.  The sample is analyzed in the lab and the threshold for a health advisory to be issued for Enterococcus is 71 colonies/100ml of sample.  If the first sample is at, or above, the 71-colony threshold, the second sample is analyzed.  If this sample is also at, or above, the 71-colony threshold an advisory is issued.

Monitoring the results of these data over the last decade, most of our swimming beaches – particularly near the south end of the bay – rarely are issued an advisory.  Most are 0-1% of the samples, almost all of those in the lower bay are less than 5% of the samples.  The bayous are different.  They are frequently at, or above, 30% of the samples.  I use this figure as a benchmark to determine whether health advisory situation in our bay is improving.  Over the past decade, the percentage of samples in Bayou Texar have been both above and below this 30% mark; more below than above.  Bayou Grande is frequently below 30% but is usually between 20-30%.  Bayou Chico is usually at, or above, the 30% mark.  It is not uncommon for Bayou Chico to be between 50-60%.  There does seem to be a strong correlation between rain events and bacteria levels with all bodies of water.

Below are the 2024 numbers as of the end of the second quarter.

As you can see from the data table, all sites are below the 30% mark except Bayou Chico – currently at 60%.

Only two sites are between 20-30% – Bayou Texar and Bruce Beach.

Only two sites are between 10-20% – Bayou Grande and Quietwater Beach.

All others are less than 10%.

The question beckons – how do we reduce the frequency of health advisories?

Though we do need to consider feces from birds and mammals, the focus would be on reducing human waste.  Many who live on, or within the watershed, of Bayou Chico are on septic systems.  Maintenance of septic systems falls to the homeowner and, if you are on a septic system, it is important to develop – and put into practice – a septic maintenance plan.  We can help you do that if you need.  Just contact us at the County Extension office.

Another option is to convert from septic to sewer.  This can only be done if there is a sewer line close to your property to tie into.  At that point there is the cost of doing so.  Prices can vary but tend to be between $5000 – $10,000.  DOH does offer a cost share program for some underserved communities in Pensacola.  To see if your community qualifies for this, or more information on conversion in general, visit their website at

https://escambia.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/water-quality/index.html.

For those already on sewer there are still things you can do to help.  (1) be aware of what you are flushing down the drain.  Many items flushed do not break down and can clog lines causing sewage overflows.  Flushable wipes are flushable, but they do not break down.  Fats, oils, and grease are big problems.  ECUA offers a program they call FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) to help.  Here they provide 1-gallon plastic jugs that you can dispose of your FOGs and return full ones for empties at no charge.  For a pick-up/drop-off station near you visit their website.

https://ecua.fl.gov/live-green/fats-oils-grease.

THIS WOULD BE TRUE WHETHER YOU ARE ON SEPTIC OR SEWER.

Also be aware that the sewer line connecting your home to the sewer line in the street (called a lateral) is the responsibility of the property owner.  You should have this inspected periodically and upgraded if it is old and cracked.

We hope that having community members practice some of these behavior changes the frequency of health advisories will decrease everywhere.  We will post the 2024 3^rd quarter report in October.

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