(2) Operational water quality
- The water shall be free of chemical and physical substances known or
suspected of being capable of creating toxic reactions or skin or membrane
irritations. Algae and aquatic vegetation shall be controlled so that no hazard
to bathers results.
(a) Bacteriological
samples shall be collected by the owner/manager and tested monthly. A set of
two samples shall be collected for every 500 feet of shoreline, the samples
shall be taken a foot below the surface in three feet of water and at least 25
feet apart. The samples shall be analyzed by a DOH certified laboratory using
EPA approved methods for ambient water and the results submitted to the
department within 10 days after the end of the month.
1. Should the test results of these samples
exceed the standards in subsection
64E-9.013(3),
F.A.C., below, the county health department shall be notified within 24 hours
of receipt of results by the owner/manager from the lab, and re-sampling by the
owner/manager shall be required within 24 hours. All sampling results shall be
submitted to the county health department.
2. If 24 hour re-sampling is not possible for
any reason, then the bathing place owner/manager shall immediately post a No
swimming advisory based upon these initial results during the time period
waiting for re-sampling results. If the 24 hour confirmation samples reveal an
exceedance of the standards, the bathing place owner/manager shall immediately
post a No swimming advisory, form DH 4158, Bathing Place Public Health Advisory
Sign - Poor Water Quality, 02/13, incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06899,
or sustain the already-posted advisory until additional testing reveals the
water meets single sample standards again. The department shall post the
advisory if the owner/manager does not. Only samples collected after the
initial advisory shall be used to compare and calculate when the advisory may
be rescinded. If a pollution source is identified, that source shall be
eliminated before rescinding the bathing place advisory.
(b) County health departments shall perform
an inspection upon receipt of test results exceeding standards, or upon receipt
of a complaint from the public concerning safety, sanitation, illness, or water
quality, and this inspection may include:
1. A
site inspection in light of the original sanitary survey, changed natural
conditions, changed use conditions, and originally permitted
facilities.
2. A bacteriological
test consisting of the normal monthly sampling requirement. The fecal coliform,
E. coli or enterococci density must not exceed the single
sample standards of subsection
64E-9.013(3),
F.A.C.
3. A water clarity test
wherein an 8'' black and white secchi disk shall be visible to a minimum depth
of four feet.
4. The bathing place
shall be posted with an advisory or swimming prohibited, as appropriate, by the
owner/manager or the department if inspection reveals water clarity violations,
unsafe bacterial test results, or immediate hazards to health or safety such
as, but not limited to sewage in water, broken glass, dangerous wildlife,
hazardous structural or electrical conditions, toxic algal blooms, or other
serious disease agents present.
5.
Muck or silt shall not be present from the shoreline to a depth of five feet
and aquatic vegetation shall be controlled.
6. Should an incident or finding of the
county health department warrant it, site specific signage shall be provided.
The bathing load shall be posted and due consideration shall be given to safety
guidelines such as steep slope, diving areas, deep water, underwater
obstruction, dangerous wildlife, or lifeguard not on duty. Additional signage
shall be provided if the bathing area is longer than 300 feet.
7. Platforms, diving boards, docks, beaches
and walkways shall be kept clean and in good repair. Diving areas shall be
readily identified, and shall have and maintain adequate water depth for safe
diving based on the depth requirements of public swimming pool construction
requirements.
8. Glass items and
domestic animals are prohibited in the bathing area and on the adjacent beach
area.
9. Sanitary facilities shall
be provided and maintained in good working order with all necessary
supplies.
