Fecal bacteria high at Texas beaches following flooding
GALVESTON, Texas — Levels of fecal bacteria are high along the Texas coastline in the wake of recent flooding and Tropical Storm Bill.
Over the past several weeks, rain has carried waste from upstream and dumped it into the Gulf of Mexico. Seventeen beaches in Galveston County had high levels of fecal bacteria Tuesday morning, but by late afternoon, that number had dropped to three after another round of testing.
"People's properties, septic systems that are failing, overrun sewer drains," said Lori Fitzsimmons-Evans of the Galveston County Health District.
But while testing in the county is finding indicators of high levels of fecal bacteria, tourists aren't staying out of the water.
"It's been good," said Debbie Noel, who was visiting with her grandchildren from Fort Worth. "The kids have loved it."
And while Noel said she "hasn't seen" anything in the water, officials are warning people to be careful.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends avoiding swimming when tests show high levels. Fitzsimmons-Evans says the elderly, children, and anyone with an open cut or whose immune system is compromised should be cautious.
"If you're a healthy adult, you should be fine," Fitzsimmons-Evans said.
She added once a sample comes back positive, the Galveston County Health District will do daily tests until they show the water is OK.
She said it usually takes two to three days for levels to go down and expects all levels to return to states before the flooding by next week, as long as the rain holds off.