When I first joined Extension, my advisory committee indicated that water quality was a major issue.  When I asked what about our water was most concerning, they responded with fish kills and health advisories.  As we have read in previous articles in this series, fish kills were an issue – but not so much now.  That cannot be said for health advisories – these are still of concern.

Health advisories are issued for water bodies whose fecal bacteria concentrations are too high.  The fecal bacteria monitored are those found in the large intestines of birds and mammals and are naturally found in our surface waters.  High concentrations indicate high levels of sewage and thus the risk for high levels of human pathogens that are a health risk – thus a health advisory is issued.

In marine systems the fecal bacteria monitored is of the genus Enterococcus.  The recognized criteria for an advisory is 71 colonies (or more) / liter of sample.  For education purposes, I have been following the bacteria reports in the Pensacola Bay System (PBS) since the 1980s.  Historically the higher concentrations (and health advisories) have been associated with the smaller tributaries and bayous that discharge into the bay.  This makes sense in that most of the human and animal populations exist along these waterways.

When my career switched from being a marine/environmental science instructor to the Sea Grant Extension Agent, my focus switched from all bodies of water in the PBS to the marine ones.  Since that time, I have followed reports provided on the bays and bayous.  The pattern has remained the same – more advisories have been issued for our bayous than the more open bay.

Due to costs, the Florida Department of Health focuses its monitoring efforts on locations where people often swim, and only during the time of year when they are swimming.  Not every location is monitored every week, or even every month.  So, for education purposes, I log not how many advisories are issued for each water body, but rather what percent of the samples collected required a health advisory.  There are 14 sites they monitor in Escambia County.  Nine of these are from either the Pensacola Beach or Perdido Key area (where most people swim).  There are two sites on Pensacola Bay, and three bayous.  As you might expect – the higher percentages of advisories are from the bay and bayou sites.  Where the island sites are typically 5% of the samples or less (more often 0% of the samples), the bay sites range from 10-20% of the samples, and the bayous are often 30% or higher.  Bayou Chico is often 50% or higher.

Below are the percentage of samples requiring a health advisory since 2019 (there were no reports for 2020 – COVID period; ND = No Data).

To explain the “busier” years – many have found a correlation between the number of advisories and the rainfall for the year.  Below are the total rainfall data for the PBS fro those same years.

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH HEALTH ADVISORIES?

Knowing that health advisories are issued when fecal bacteria concentrations are high – and that these bacteria come from the birds and mammals – and that high concentrations are believed to be more associated with human waste – human waste issues would be the primary focus.

If you have a septic system…

1. Develop (and follow) a septic maintenance plan. Septic systems should be inspected and pumped every 3-5 years.  There are numerous companies in the area who can help you with this.
2. Be aware of how much water you are using. Each septic system is designed for a specific volume of water.  If you use more water than the system was designed for, overflow/backups can/will occur and contribute to fecal waste in local waterways.
3. Be aware of what you are flushing down the drain. Fats, oils, grease, non-biodegradable products can all back up the septic system and create problems.  Often garbage disposals and milk have caused problems.  The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority offers a program called FOG (Fats. Oils, and Grease).  In this program they offer (at no charge) plastic 1-gallon containers in which you can pour your fats, oils, and grease products instead of pouring down the drain.  The locations around the county where you can pick these containers up.  When your container is full you can bring it back for a new container.  We have one at the Escambia County Extension Office and you can find others on their website – Fats, Oils & Grease.
4. Do not drive over the drain field. The soil around the drain field should not be compacted for proper percolation to occur.
5. If near sewer system, consider converting from septic to sewer. Though small, being on a sewer system does require a monthly fee.  However, this moves much of the maintenance responsibilities from the property owner to the sewer company.   Converting from septic to sewer can be expensive.  The Escambia County Department of Health does offer cost share programs for some areas of the county.  Contact them to see if you are eligible.

If on sewer…

1. Be aware of what you are flushing down the drain. Fats, oils, grease, non-biodegradable products can all back up the sewer system and create problems.  Often garbage disposals and milk have caused problems.  The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority offers a program they call FOG (Fats. Oils, and Grease).  In this program they offer (at no charge) plastic 1-gallon containers in which you can pour your fats, oils, and grease products instead of pouring down the drain.  The locations around the county where you can pick these containers up.  When your container is full you can bring it back for a new container.  We have one at the Escambia County Extension Office and you can find others on their website – Fats, Oils & Grease.
2. Have the lateral pipe inspected and repaired if needed. The pipe that connects your house to the sewer line in the street is called the lateral and is the responsibility of the property owner.  You should make sure your lateral is in good condition and not leaking. Any plumbing company can assist you with this.

Health advisories continue to be a water quality issue in the upper part of the bay.  This issue is most likely similar in other counties and other estuaries.  There is plenty we can do to help reduce this problem.  If you have any questions concerning these best practices, contact your county Extension Office.

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