Report: There’s So Much Poop Along the Texas Coast, Swimming Could Make You Sick
- Courtesy Image / Environment Texas Research and Policy Center
Texas beaches may be open during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe places to swim, according to a new study of levels of fecal bacteria along the Gulf Coast. And by “fecal,” yes, we mean shit, or poo — or whatever brown-tinged euphemism you prefer to use.
For the report, Environment Texas Research and Policy Center analyzed which beaches had fecal indicator bacteria levels last year that could result in illnesses for an estimated 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.
Turns out, Sylvan Beach Park along Galveston Bay in Harris County had bacteria levels above that safety threshold on 99% percent of days tested. At least nine other Texas beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on more than two-thirds of testing days. Those included Sargent Beach, Palacios Pavilion, Jetty Park, Surfside, Follets Island, Quintana, Cole Park, Bryan Beach and Ropes Park.
“It isn’t just extremely gross, this kind of pollution can make us sick,” said Anna Farrell-Sherman, Clean Water Associate with Environment Texas.
Indeed, scientists estimate that people are sickened around 57 million times annually from contact with polluted U.S. waters. Fecal bacteria can result in gastrointestinal problems and a variety of other health issues.
Fecal bacteria is commonly found in stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. To remedy the problem, Environment Texas recommends that the state repair its aging sewage systems, enact moratoriums on new industrial-scale livestock operations and protect wetlands, which filter out bacteria and pollutants.
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