Ewww Alert: Some Texas Beaches Test High For Fecal Bacteria

AUSTIN, TX — If you're heading to any number of Texas coastlines for the long Memorial Day weekend, you might want to consult the Texas Beach Watch ahead of time. Why? You might want to sit down for this, and—like not eating for an hour before swimming—make sure you're not eating at this moment.

Ready? According to Texas Beach Watch, the levels of fecal bacteria are registering as "high" at various state coasts. It's a naturally occurring condition enhanced during period of rainfall, and ensuing fecal coliform bacteria ingested can cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness and potentially serious kidney disorders.

The beaches in Corpus Christi and Galveston are at high levels for this thing, officials said. The latter marina is listed as "high" for that thing we mentioned earlier, yet the bay is listed as having "low" levels of that aforementioned thing we're having trouble typing.

Go figure. As mentioned, it depends on the level of rainfall accumulation per area studied.

The Texas Beach Watch falls under the purview of the Texas General Land Office, monitoring levels along the Texas coast. Officials plan to check the waters daily until the levels of fecal bacteria go down. While contact is discouraged amid high levels of...let's just call it FB..., members of the beach-going public can still enjoy (the term being relative now) the Texas coast so long as officials don't close specific beaches.

For more information about water levels and what beaches are safe, click here.

If Texas' abundant, freshwater lakes, rivers and streams are starting to look good as vacation destinations right about now, click here for a Geology.com compilation and assessment of water levels.

Happy Memorial Day!

>>> Photo credit: Eben Calhoun via WikiMedia Commons, Galveston