Press Release
SEPTEMBER 19th, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: Bill Parizek
PHONE:850-245-4111
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Tallahassee -- Capping
years of progressive
initiatives aimed at
preserving Florida’s
pristine beaches and water
resources, the Florida
Department of Health (DOH)
will participate in National
Coast Week during the week
of September 20 –27.
The week, which is themed “National Coastal Week 2003: Living
on the Edge,” will feature a
series of events held around
the country to celebrate the
vibrancy and beauty of the
nations’ coastal communities
and resources. Planned
events will raise awareness
about critical ocean and
coastal issues through
various community workshops,
beach cleanups, nature
tours, water monitoring and
seagrass planting
activities.
“Florida is uncompromisingly committed to maintaining the
highest standard of water
quality and beach
preservation,” said DOH
Secretary John O. Agwunobi,
M.D., M.B.A. “National
Coastal Week is a time to
join the nation in
recognizing the importance
of these endeavors.”
Standing as an example of the type of beach preservation
celebrated during this week,
Florida’s
nationally-modeled, Healthy
Beaches Monitoring Program
demonstrates the quality
work being conducted at 305
sites in its 34 coastal
counties statewide. To keep
public beaches safe for
swimming, each of the
counties collects biweekly
water samples. They are then
sent to a DOH-certified
state laboratory where they
are checked for enterococci
and fecal coliform bacteria
--microorganisms that are
indicators of contamination,
which can cause disease,
infections or rashes in high
concentrations. After the
county health department
receives the results from
the laboratory, they are
entered into a computer
database with results posted
immediately on the
department’s web page.
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
awarded DOH’s Environmental
Health Division a nearly
$545,000 grant for weekly
monitoring activities at
frequently used beaches,
helping to ensure Florida’s
beaches remain safe and
sanitary for public use.
For more information about the Florida Healthy Beaches
program or beach sampling
findings, visit
www.doh.state.fl.us
and select Beach Water
Quality from the pull down
menu.
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