Baton Rouge --- Based on samples collected, water quality at Grand Isle State Park was determined to be out of compliance with Louisiana’s BEACH program bacteriological water quality standards.
An Advisory has been issued for Grand Isle State Park 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 and Hospitals, Office of Public Health 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 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 stormwater 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, such as the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. The goal of the Louisiana 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.state.la.us
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