The Healthy Beaches program was created to more accurately determine whether beaches are safe for recreational uses such as swimming. Beginning with a 1998 pilot program, 11 Florida coastal counties began conducting beach water sampling every two weeks and reporting the results on the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website and in local news media. In August 2000, the beach water sampling program was expanded to include 34 Florida counties.
Samples are collected weekly at multiple locations along Florida's coasts and analyzed for fecal coliform and enterococcus bacteria Elevated levels of these bacteria may be due to sewage contamination, livestock, pets or wildlife. High concentrations of these bacteria may indicate the presence of pathogens (microorganisms that could cause disease, infections, or rashes). County Health departments will issue health advisories or warnings when these conditions are confirmed. A health advisory indicates that contact with the water at this site may pose increased risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible individuals.
See the Florida Healthy Beaches website for additional information.
Results are posted on the Healthy Beaches website as Good, Moderate or Poor. For fecal coliform, a good result is 0-199 organisms per 100 mL of water, a moderate result is 200-399 organisms per 100 mL of water, and a poor result is 400 or greater per 100mL of water. For entorococci organism, a good result is 0-35 colony forming units per 100mL of water, a moderate result is 36-104 colony forming units per 100mL of water, a poor result is 105 or greater colony forming units per 100mL of water.
See the Florida Healthy Beaches website for additional information.