@archman, we have had discussions about the water testing here before. When the sample is taken, how often etc. It was all speculation so 18 months ago I emailed the source. See the response at the end of this post after the images. FWIW the volume of tidal exchange at the park is enormous. The test is only a single data point in time, not very helpful. Also seems that they do not take tide into effect, not sure if the same person is still at FDOH. I have been diving there the last three days, no ill effects as far as I can tell.
Went to the bridge yesterday and today for diving. High tide was at 10:23 yesterday, and 10:52 today. Yesterday I arrived later than what would be normal for me, so I was entering the water only a half an hour before high tide. I was a little shocked at how crowded it was for a 10:23 high tide on a Wednesday. On the west side, just south of the bridge stanchions there were at least a dozen flags, all within 25 yards of each other. Today I arrived early at about 0905, snorkeled the trail first, and then did scuba afterward. It was the opposite of yesterday, I had the whole west side to myself. It was somewhat more sunny yesterday, but warmer today. I have no understanding of why there were so many divers yesterday and hardly any today. Visibility was the same both days about 15-20ft range, hazy blue. Sea temp was 76f. A big improvement from Tuesday.
Yesterday seeing all the flags on the westside just south to the bridge, upon entering immediately did a u turn around the seawall and headed to an area north of the pier. This area is somewhat similar to areas off the beach in front of the lifeguard stands. More algae, and sand as opposed gravel and bryozoan south of the bridge. Did a REEF survey of 59 species in 65 minutes.
Today did a REEF survey on snorkel of 49 species in 45 minutes, and 57 species in 65 minutes on scuba. Of note was a congregation of Apple Murex, at least twenty of them. Yellowhead Wrasse, though common on the reefs not so common at the bridge and had not seen one for a while. And nudibranchs of the genus
Doto, but I am unsure of the species. Respectively, Yellowhead Wrasse, Apple Murex Congregation, Find the Decorator Crab, Blue-eye Hermit Crab, and
Doto torrelavego (I think)
Hello,
I am trying to determine at what time of day water samples are taken for Phil Foster Park. The last one, ID 1110 taken on 10/24/22 resulted in an advisory. Only the date of the sample is recorded not the time. What time was that sample taken? What determines the time of the day the sample is taken? If the sample quality is found to be poor, resulting in an advisory are more samples taken more frequently until the advisory is clear? Thank you for your kind consideration in this matter.
Best Regards,
Peter Leahy
Peter,
Samples are normally collected in the morning in Palm Beach County. Phil Foster Park was sampled Monday, 10/24/2022, at 10:35 AM and Wednesday, 10/26/2022, at 9:55 AM. The Wednesday sample was a resample in response to the poor result from Monday’s sample. Samples are collected in the morning due to the time needed to complete the sample run and then have the laboratory process the samples.
If samples show poor results then an advisory will be issued and normally a resample will be conducted for the beach in question. Depending on circumstances more than one resample may collected but most resamples show water quality will have improved. Before an advisory is lifted testing will have to show improved water quality.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact me. I can be reached by email at
David.polk@flhealth.gov or by phone at 850-901-6510.
W. David Polk, R.E.H.S.
Florida Department of Health
Division of Disease Control and Health Protection
Bureau of Environmental Health - Water Programs
Phone: 850-901-6510
Fax: (850) 487-0864
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin A-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1710
www.floridahealth.gov
