Swim at your own risk at 2 St. Simons Island beaches with higher-than-normal bacteria levels

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — UPDATE: St. Simons Island beach advisories lifted

Health officials again tested the water at two St. Simons Island beaches Wednesday to see if bacteria levels have gone down.

Action News Jax told you about the beach advisories at East Beach and Massengale Park Beach Tuesday. The results from Wednesday's test are expected on Thursday.

Signs were posted at certain beach access points warning beachgoers about the higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in the water.

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“I saw people testing the water early in the morning. We realized that something is going on,” Giovanny Figueroa said.

The warning didn’t seem to stop many from going in anyway. Others didn’t even know about the advisory until Action News Jax's Lorena Inclan told them.

“Now that we know, probably we have to think about it, about the young kids,” Figueroa said.

And with July Fourth weekend just days away, you can expect to see busy beaches.

District environmental health director Todd Driver said routine testing detected high levels of the enterococcus bacteria.

“Which is a bacteria that is found in the gut of warm-blooded animals, humans and animals,” Driver said.

The elevated levels were found in East Beach from 10th Street to Driftwood Drive and Massengale Park Beach from Driftwood Drive to Cedar Street.

There’s no way of knowing if you’ll get sick from it, but Driver said if you go in the water, you’re at a higher risk of developing symptoms.

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“Gastrointestinal illness, stomach illnesses,” said Driver.

It’s unclear where the bacteria came from, but possible sources include stormwater runoff and boating waste.

“If those results fall below the EPA’s recommended maximum levels of bacteria, at that point the Health Department will lift that advisory,” said Driver.

Even if the advisory isn’t lifted before the holiday weekend, beaches will remain open -- but if you get in the water, you’re doing so at your own risk.

Cox Media Group