High Levels of Fecal Bacteria alongside Texas Coastline
Due to flooding that struck the area recently, combined with Tropical Storm Bill have resulted in high levels of fecal bacteria along the coastline of Texas. Large amounts of waste were dumped in the Gulf of Mexico because rain was carrying it upstream. On Tuesday morning 17 beaches in Galveston County had large numbers of fecal bacteria, but after another round of tests the levels dropped in the afternoon.
"People's properties, septic systems that are failing, overrun sewer drains," said Lori Fitzsimmons-Evans of the Galveston County Health District. Even though people have been informed about the fecal bacteria being present in the sea, tourists have not stopped bathing. Experts, however, are warning tourists to stay out of the water when fecal bacteria levels are high. People who should take extra precaution are children, people with a compromised immune system and open cut wounds. Everybody with overall good health should be fine, said the officials.
Lori Fitzsimmons-Evans of the Galveston County Health District said the institution will continue to test water on a daily basis until the level of bacteria drops to the normal level. According to estimations, the level of bacteria should fall over the course of the next two to three days, and should reach optimal level by next week providing there is not a lot of rain.