State testing flags elevated bacteria levels at Tybee Island

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Fecal bacteria has been detected at several Georgia beaches, including Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island and Tybee Island, according to state water testing.

On Tybee Island, testing flagged elevated levels of enterococci, a bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals. When it shows up in beach water, it can indicate possible contamination from fecal waste.

“It’s fecal matter and it could be from an animal, discharge from a boat. You know, it could be from a lot of different sources,” Tybee Island Mayor Brian West said.

The findings were included in Georgia’s latest water quality report, produced under federal Clean Water Act requirements that states regularly assess water conditions.

West said the bacteria was detected in areas stretching from the Polk Street beach access on the north end to the jetties, and from 11th Street to 18th Street.

For beachgoers, that doesn’t mean the beach is closed—but officials are advising people to avoid the impacted stretches while monitoring continues.

“There’s still plenty of beach area that they’ve determined that is safe to go to, and those are the areas that you want to try to avoid for right now,” West said.

Officials note the advisory areas could change as additional results come in. West is encouraging the public to keep checking updated Georgia EPD notices to see which areas are under advisory and when they’ve been cleared. In the meantime, visitors are urged to use personal judgment before entering the water.