Advisory Lifted on Jekyll Island; New Advisory Issued on St. Simons Island

he Glynn County Health Department is lifting a previous beach advisory on Jekyll Island, and issuing a new beach advisory on St. Simons Island.

Jekyll Island Advisory Lifted:

o The previous beach water advisory for the South Dunes Picnic Area      Beach (Corsair Beach Park to South Water Tower) has been lifted. The advisory was issued on March 10, 2020.

Water samples taken on March 16th showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, that advisory has been lifted.

St. Simons Island Advisory Issued:
o A beach water advisory has been issued for North Beach at Goulds Inlet (Fifteenth Street to Tenth Street).

The Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division tests water samples on St. Simons and Jekyll Islands throughout the year. The tests screen for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria, which are found in humans and some wildlife. The testing program is not related to the capsized motor vehicle carrier in St. Simons Sound.

When a beach is under advisory, it means the level of bacteria found in the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standards. This does NOT mean the
beach is closed.

A beach water advisory alerts the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the advisory areas. The Health Department recommends you do not swim or wade in the water in an area under advisory. Fish and other seafood caught from these areas should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

The beach will be re-tested this week, and the advisory will be lifted when the bacteria levels meet the EPA’s recommended standards. For more information about beach water testing, go to GaCHD.org and click on the Environmental Health tab at the top of the page.