Florida Healthy Beaches Program

Beach Water Quality, Program Overview

In 1998, five of Florida's coastal counties began monitoring for enterococci bacteria under a grant-funded pilot program. By the beginning of 2000, 11 Florida counties were participating in the program, which continued through July 2000.

In August 2000, the Beach Water Sampling Program was extended to 30 of Florida's coastal counties through state legislation (Senate Bill 1412 and House Bill 2145) and funding. In addition, sampling under the new program included fecal coliform as well as enterococci bacteria. The rationale for selecting these two bacteria for analysis and implications of the sampling results are described below. In August 2002, the beach water sampling program also began collecting water samples on a weekly basis with additional funding from U.S. EPA. 

Changes to funding levels in 2011 resulted in a return to bi-weekly sampling, the elimination of all fecal coliform sampling, and a reduction of the number of sample locations. Since enterococcus bacteria are indicators of the same types of pollution as fecal coliform bacteria, this did not affect the safety of Florida Residents. At this time sampling in the northern parts of the state was also suspended during the winter months, November through February.

Health Implications

Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

The statewide testing program tests for enterococci, which the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opens in new window has recommended states adopt as a saltwater quality indicator. According to studies conducted by the EPA, enterococci have a greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in both marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms, and are less likely to "die off" in saltwater. If an enterococci result were observed to exceed 70 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of beach water sampled and a resampling result also exceeds this value, then an "Advisory" would be issued for the sampling site. 

Florida Healthy Beaches Program Categories are:

Good = 0-35 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

Moderate = 36-70 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

DOH Vibrio vulnificus bacteria FAQs

Find current information about Florida's water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting Protecting Florida Together. Protecting Florida Together is the state's joint effort to provide water quality information through environmental transparency and a commitment to action.

Red Tide Information

For information on health effects related to Ride Tide, please see the Department of Health’s Aquatic Toxins program website.

For the latest Red Tide testing results, please go to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Website.

Blue-Green Algae:

For information on blue-green algae monitoring, please see the Florida Department of Health Aquatic Toxins website.  

Brown Alga (Sargassum):

For information on sargassum, please see the Department Frequently Asked Questions sheet. (<1mb pdf, opens in new window)

Vibrio Vulnificus Bacteria:
Department information for Vibrio vulnificus

State Healthy Beaches Web Site here:  https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html

Click on the link below to view the most recent beach water quality test results for the Florida Keys.

www.tinyurl.com/monroebeaches