"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."
Sanford Nowlin reports for the San Antonio Current July 23, 2020.
