After the first full year of statewide beach water quality monitoring in 2001, Florida beaches saw a 30 percent increase in closings and advisories for polluted water from the year 2000. There were 686 closings/advisories in 2001 vs. 527 in year 2000. This increase is attributed to better monitoring, and an end to a three year drought that was labeled the worst in Florida's recorded history.
The Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) annual beach water quality report, "Testing the Waters 2002," delivered mixed reviews for Florida's famous beaches. Key West is named one of five local areas around the country that received recognition as a 'beach buddy'. Qualifications for the award were strengthened this year. Previously, communities were required to monitor beach water quality regularly, close beaches or notify the public when standards were exceeded, and use the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) health standards. Now, they must also have taken significant steps to reduce beach pollution. Key West was recognized for modernizing its wastewater treatment plant, reducing sewage discharges, and the creation of a storm water capitalization plan.
Unfortunately, more than half of the 70 beach bums that are identified in this year's report are Florida beaches. Brevard County has 34 beach bums for 2001, Okaloosa and Gulf Counties each have three beaches on the list. These 'beach bum' beaches were primarily plagued by pollution from sanitary sewer overflows, storm water runoff and boat discharges.
"Stormwater pollution is the largest source of water pollution in coastal waters (55%) and estuaries (46%) in the United States," says Daniel Rossman, canvass director for the Florida Public Interest Research Group (FPIRG). "So it comes as no surprise that stormwater pollution is the largest known cause of beach closures and advisories and shellfish harvesting restrictions," Rossman says.
Beginning August 5, 2002, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) will double the amount of beach water quality monitoring that it is currently doing. Through a $530,893.00 grant from EPA the state will be able to begin to monitor beaches on a weekly basis, rather than every other week. This grant money is made possible because of the national BEACH Act that was passed by Congress last year. Florida will receive the second largest grant in the nation. DOH officials say they hope the federal grants will grow in future years since the Beach Act authorized $30 million per year for the program, but only $10 million was actually allocated for this year. Since August of 2000, the Florida legislature has provided $525,000 per year for water quality monitoring in 34 coastal counties in Florida.
"As parents we do everything within our power to protect our children. We put them in seatbelts, we slather them with sunscreen, we make them wear lifejackets in the water. After all that, it makes no sense to let them swim in polluted water," says Linda Young, southeast regional director of the Clean Water Network. "Parents do not take their children to the beach to gamble with their health. Regular water quality monitoring for Florida's swimming waters is one of the best investments that we can make for our families and for our future."