Polk Street Beach on Tybee Island has been placed under advisory by the Chatham County Health Department. The beach is located at the northernmost part of the island at the mouth of the Savannah River from the end of the beach to the jetty.
The advisory issued Wednesday afternoon is to alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact but does not mean the beach is closed.
Routine water quality tests from samples taken June 12 at that location showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.
The health department recommends staying out of the water in the area. Fish and other seafood caught from the area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating.
The area will be retested on June 14 and the advisory will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.
— Eric Curl