Texas Poop Beaches Are Still a Real Thing – Here’s How to Monitor Them
Summer time in Texas is definitely not for the weak. You know the state you live in is ridiculously hot when you hear on the news that you're under an extreme heat advisory and you don't even register it because it's simply routine. Here's the thing about Texans, though - we don't let the heat stop us from having fun, and if there's a beach nearby, you know we'll be there.
We all know we're going to need a shower after diving and splashing in the Gulf of Mexico, but there are some area that Texans may want to be extra careful around.
WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
Texas is a huge state blessed with plenty of gorgeous outdoor scenery. You can find yourself enjoying kayaking on your local lake, or enjoy the salt water and sea breezes at one of the beaches somewhere like Port Aransas, which happens to be one of my favorite places to visit.
Keep this in mind: if taking a dip at a Texas beach is your go-to idea of entertainment this summer, you might want to keep a lookout for poop. That’s right - poop, fecal matter, people pudding. Whatever you call it, some beaches seem to be magnets for bacteria contamination, and there's a handy map that can help you monitor that and plan your beach getaway.
WHERE ARE THE MOST CONTAMINATED TEXAS BEACHES?
If you want to keep an eye on the poo germ levels at our Texas beaches, bookmark Texas Beach Watch.
Their interactive map is regularly updated as they test the water quality at Texas' most-frequented recreational beaches.
If you see a green pin on that beach, it means bacteria levels are low. A yellow pin means medium, and a red pin means high.
When we checked today (June 22), most beaches were green, with just a few showing up yellow. We spotted two red pins - one in Matagorda Bay, and one off the coast of Galveston Island.
CONTAIMINATED WITH WHAT, THOUGH?
Texas Beach Watch tests for Enterococcus bacteria, which thrives in water contaminated by storm runoff and, yes, sewage! Blech! We warned you about it a couple of years ago, and it's worth reminding you again so you can keep your family safe.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR TEXAS POOP BEACHES
Could you imagine trying to enjoy some fun in the sun and not realizing that the water is full of sewage bacteria? I want everyone to visit and enjoy our natural resources, but be very careful where you decide to swim because your trip could literally stink.
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