October 15, 2004 BEACH WATER QUALITY ADVISORY: Fountainebleau State ParkBased on samples collected, water quality at the following beach was determined to be Out of Compliance with Louisiana’s BEACH program bacteriological water quality standards:

BATON ROUGE, Oct 15, 2004 - Based on samples collected, water quality at the following beach was determined to be Out of Compliance with Louisiana’s BEACH program bacteriological water quality standards:

Date Effective: Oct. 15, 2004
Parish:  St. Tammany
Beach Name: Fontainebleau State Park Beach
Sampling Location ID:  Fntb1

Sampling Location Description:  Center of Beach at  -90º 02’ 45” (Longitude) and 30º 20’ 08” (Latitude).

An Advisory has been issued for this beach.  This should be considered notification of a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not advised. This advisory will remain in effect until bacteria levels are in compliance with water quality criteria.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDHH), Office of Public Health currently monitors water quality at three designated beaches ( Fontainebleau, Grand Isle, and Cypremort Point State Parks)  in Louisiana’s coastal recreational waters. Samples are collected at specified sampling locations at those beaches once per week from April 1 through October 31, under Louisiana’s BEACH program. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (both fecal coliform and enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and warm-blooded animals, and may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal contamination, which may come from storm water runoff, livestock, pets, wildlife, or human sewage.

The Louisiana BEACH program uses established water quality criteria to classify beach sampling locations as In Compliance or Out of Compliance. The water quality at sampling locations classified as In Compliance meet water quality criteria. Sampling locations classified as Out of Compliance indicate water quality criteria have been exceeded and swimming or other activities that may result in water ingestion may pose an increased risk of disease, particularly for susceptible individuals. The goal of Louisiana’s BEACH program is to provide the public with the necessary information to allow them to make informed choices about whether or not to enter the water.

For more information, please contact: Stephen Locke, Office of Public Health, 6867

Bluebonnet Blvd., Box 16, Baton Rouge, LA 70810; Phone: (225) 763-3547; FAX: (225) 763-3553; E-mail: slocke@dhh.la.gov