As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, when I first joined Sea Grant my advisory mentioned that water quality was a primary issue and that fish kills and health advisories were a concern.  In Part 1 we addressed the fish kill issue, in Part 2 we will discuss how to reduce health advisories.

Health advisories are issued when fecal bacteria levels in the water column are too high for human contact.  Fecal bacteria are found in the digestive tract and help with the digestion process.  They enter the environment when the animal goes to the bathroom.  Yes, they are found in other animals besides humans – mainly birds and mammals.  This is a normal process and finding fecal bacteria in a water sample is expected.  But finding large amounts indicates a larger than normal amount of feces in the water and this is concerning.  It is concerning because often feces carry not only fecal bacteria but also pathogens that could cause disease.  So, if the levels are high enough the Department of Health will issue a health advisory.

For marine systems the fecal bacterium focused on is Enterococcus.  The reason they focus on this one is because it can tolerate saltwater.  The Department of Health focuses on bodies of water where people swim, and also the time of year when they swim.  The reason they do not sample all bodies of water all year round is cost.  When they do pull a sample, they will count the number of Enterococcus colonies in that sample.  If there are 71 colonies, or more, they will pull a second sample to be sure.  If there is 71 colonies, or more, in the second sample an advisory is issued.

As you can imagine if you live on a water body where advisories are given it is a little unsettling.  If advisories are issued frequently, it reduces your ability to use this waterbody for recreation, and this was why my advisory committee was concerned.

I have been following the weekly advisory reports since the 1990s.  Though they do not issue advisories, other agencies have been monitoring fecal bacteria in water bodies where people do not always swim.  Agencies like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Bream Fishermen’s Association.  There have been fecal bacteria issues in some of the creeks in the upper end of the county, and occasionally in the rivers.  But the Department of Health focuses their efforts in the estuary and Gulf.  And here the problems seem to be in the major bayous – Bayou Texar, Bayou Chico, and Bayou Grande.  When you look at the percent of samples collected that require an advisory you will find most locations are less than 5% of the samples each year, many are less than 1%.  But the bayous run between 20-60% of the samples, particularly Bayou Chico.

So, how do we reduce this?

Well, as you would imagine, if we are focused on human waste the source would be from poorly maintained septic and sewer systems.  We addressed how to manage this in part because animal waste can contribute to high nutrient levels as well.  Here is what we recommended then, and now.

1. Pick up after your pet’s waste. Pet waste left in yards and streets will eventually find its way to the bay.  Placing it in the trash can will help reduce this problem.
2. Maintain your septic/sewer system. One sewage treatment center manager told me if I could tell the public one thing, tell them to please quit pouring bacon grease down the drain.  Fats, oils, and grease harden in the septic/sewer lines just like it does in our arteries and can cause sewage overflows, which will find their way to the bay.  You can solve this problem by participating in ECUA’s FOG program.  In this program ECUA will provide you with a free plastic 1-gallon jug to pour your fats, oils, and grease in.  When full, you exchange it for a new at one of their numerous exchange stations around the county.  It is all free of charge.  You can find out more about this program at Fats, Oils & Grease. If you have a septic system, make sure you know what size it is and that you are not using more water than the system was designed to manage.  It is also recommended to have the septic system pumped every 3-5 years.  If you are on sewer, remember that the lateral pipe that connects your home to the sewer line in the street is the responsibility of the homeowner and should be inspected every few years to make it work correctly.

Both the city and county are using funds to upgrade our sewer lines and bring sewer systems to communities that do not currently have them.  But it is still on us to make sure they are maintained and function properly.  If you would like more information on exactly how to do this, contact your county extension office.

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