While many of us are excited to hit the beach this hot 4th of July holiday weekend, travelers should be aware of potential water contaminants in some locations. Officials in several Gulf Coast states have issued warnings on beaches due to the presence of harmful Enterococcus bacteria.
Twelve beaches here in Louisiana are under watch. This includes Grand Isle, Holly Beach, Lake Charles, Fountainebleau State Park, and Long, Martin, and Rutherford Beaches.
Enterococcus is a bacteria that can be a sign of fecal pollution. There are several different reasons water could contain this bacterial contamination, including shoreline developments, septic tanks, treatment facilities, runoff and human waste left behind by boaters. The Enterococcus bacteria can cause disease, infection or rashes. People who have open wounds, cuts, scrapes and burns should especially avoid gulf waters while this advisory is in place.
For those traveling, please take note of these water monitoring websites:
- Alabama Beach Monitoring
- Florida Beach Monitoring
- Mississippi Beach Monitoring
- Louisiana Beach Monitoring
- Texas Beach Monitoring
We hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July weekend. If you or someone you know is traveling to a beach this weekend, please share this post on Facebook to help spread the word.