Report: Most Texas beaches had unsafe fecal bacteria levels in ’22

Over 90 percent of Texas beaches tested last year were contaminated with potentially unsafe levels of fecal pathogens, according to an annual report.

The nonprofit group Environment Texas determined that 55 out of 61 Texas beaches analyzed in 2022 could pose a health risk to swimmers due to high fecal indicator bacteria levels on at least one testing day, as compared to the precautionary threshold set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Now is the time to fix our water infrastructure and stop the flow of pathogens to our beaches,” said Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger in a statement.

Swimming in contaminated waters results in an elevated potential of contracting gastrointestinal illness from incidental or accidental ingestion, according to the EPA. Exposure to water contaminated with feces can cause respiratory illness, ear infections, eye infections and skin rashes as well.

Cole Park Beach in Corpus Christi, the most frequently contaminated beach in the state, registered high bacteria levels on 27 of the 50 days it was tested.

Nationally, 1,761 out of 3,192 tested beaches experienced at least a single day of potentially unsafe fecal contamination. All 19 of the beaches measured in Louisiana exceeded the EPA’s precautionary threshold on one or more occasions.

Common sources of the contamination include sprawling coastal development, deteriorating sewage systems and intensive animal farming, according to the report.

To stay updated with fecal bacteria counts and advisories at Texas beaches, swimmers can check the Texas General Land Office’s interactive, digital map: Texas Beach Watch.