Florida Healthy Beaches Program

The Florida Healthy Beaches Program was established in August 2000. This program aims to protect the public’s health by monitoring bacteriological water quality of Escambia County beaches, bays and bayous.

The program conducts bi-weekly water sampling from March to October. Results are reported to the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Healthy Beaches Program.

The sampling process entails:

• Collection of 100 ml sample.
• The sample is taken to a NELAC Certified Lab for analysis.
• The sample is analyzed for Enterococci bacteria (typically found in the gut of warm-blooded animals). 

Enterococci are an enteric bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. High concentrations of enteric bacteria in recreational waters can cause infections or diseases if ingested while swimming or swimming with a cut.

• The sample is expressed as the number of colony forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water sample. 
• The Florida Healthy Beaches Program uses the following reporting guidelines:
  
  Enterococci (single sample)
   
  • 0-35 CFU/100 ml is GOOD
  • 36-70 CFU/100 ml is MODERATE
  • 71 or greater CFU/100 ml is POOR

A result of 71 or greater may require a re-sampling of the location before issuance of an advisory.

• A resample is conducted if result exceeds the recommended thresholds. If the resample result still exceeds the threshold then an advisory sign is posted.
• The advisory sign states that swimming or other water contact activities are not recommended due to high bacterial levels.

Additional Resources 

Location & Contact Information 

Downtown Service Center, 1300 West Gregory Street

The Florida Healthy Beaches office is open Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 850-595-6700 for more information.