CHATHAM COUNTY, GA – The Chatham County Health Department has lifted water quality advisories for Middle Beach at Center Terrace, Strand Beach at the Pier, and South Beach at Chatham Street on Tybee Island.
The advisories were issued on December 31, 2019 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
Subsequent water samples taken showed that the bacteria levels had dropped below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits. Therefore, the advisories have been lifted.
The testing is part of an ongoing water monitoring program through the Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division. Water samples are screened every week for bacteria found in humans and some wildlife. This testing program is not related to the capsized cargo carrier in St. Simons Sound.