JEKYLL ISLAND, Fla. — The Glynn County Health Department has lifted one of the two beach water advisories for Jekyll Island.
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The advisories were issued on July 26, after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria, which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
After resampling both affected beach areas, water samples show the bacteria level had dropped below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits at Glory Beach, from the South Water Tower to Macy Lane on Jekyll Island. Therefore, the Health Department lifted the advisory.
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A sample was also taken from the Great Dunes Beach area for retesting, but officials said that the water was too muddy for analysis. A fresh sample will be taken from the beach on Monday, Aug. 1 for retesting.
In the meantime, the water quality advisory remains in place for Great Dunes Beach, which extends from the Beach Pavilion to Corsair Beach Park on Jekyll Island.
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The advisory doesn’t mean the beach is closed. Beach water advisories alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact in the covered areas. The Health Department recommends that people do not swim or wade in the water in the areas under advisory.
Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating, as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.
For more information about beach water advisories, go to www.coastalhealthdistrict.org and click on the Environmental Health tab at the top of the page.