Santa Rosa County is part of Florida’s Healthy Beaches water sampling program which was initially started in 1998 with a pilot program that included 11 Florida coastal counties. Beach water sampling is conducted every two weeks, and the results are posted online and by local news outlets.

Water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of these bacteria in the environment may be an indication of fecal pollution which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife, and/or human sewage. High concentrations of enterococci in recreational waters may cause human disease, infections, or rashes if they are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore. The Division of Environmental Health issues health advisories when elevated concentrations of these bacteria are confirmed.

Water Quality Categories

  • Good = 0-35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
  • Moderate = 36-70 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
  • Poor = 71 or greater enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
  • Santa Rosa County Water Sampling Locations