Through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring program, the Florida Department of Health in Martin County’s Division of Environmental Health conducts beach sampling in nine locations throughout the county every other week.

In addition, the Florida Department of Health in Martin County conducts weekly St. Lucie River samples at four sites. These four sites are conducted as a special monitoring project.

The water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of these enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. If enteric bacteria are present in high concentrations and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation, and skin rashes.

Advisory signs will be posted and residents are urged to avoid contact with the water, if higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria are present.

Beach Water and River Sampling Results