Environment

A Large Number of Texas Beaches Were Found to be Unsafe Due to Fecal Bacteria During 2020

A recent analysis made by the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center found that of the 61 beaches in Texas, 55 had one potentially unsafe swimming day as a result of fecal bacteria in 2020.

31 beaches were found unsafe at least 25 percent of the days they were tested.

Cole Park in Nueces County was found to be potentially dangerous 91 percent of the days testing took place, the record high for Texas beaches in 2020. Harris County, with just one beach, was found to have the highest number of unsafe swimming days in comparison to any other county.

Fecal bacteria contamination is sometimes caused by malfunction sewage treatments, improperly maintained septic systems, rainwater runoff carrying waste, and large numbers of swimmers.

Swimming in this contaminated water can cause a number of serious illnesses, such as respiratory disease, ear & eye infection, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal infections.

The report found that on average, there are an estimated 57  million cases of waterborne illnesses contracted from recreational swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds. 

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

Influencers and Podcasters Drive Huge Spike in Live Event Ticket Sales

Social media personalities, podcast hosts, and authors are turning online influence into in-person fan engagement…

1 day ago

Kelly Clarkson Steps Away from Texas Flood Benefit After Ex-Husband’s Passing

Kelly Clarkson will no longer perform at this weekend’s Band Together Texas benefit concert, stepping…

2 days ago

Judge Lina Hidalgo Dubs Colleagues the ‘GOP Three’

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo escalated tensions at Commissioners Court on Thursday, branding two of…

3 days ago

Texas Democrats Plan Return to Block Gerrymander, Awaiting End of Special Session

Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers are preparing to head back to Austin early next week…

3 days ago

Texas Democrats say they will return to state once session ends, California unveils retaliatory map

Texas House Democrats who left the state in protest of proposed congressional redistricting said Thursday…

4 days ago

Texas Private Schools Face Minimal Oversight Despite State Funding Expansion

For years, some Texas private schools have engaged in governance and financial practices that would…

4 days ago

This website uses cookies.