Good beach water quality is important for the safety and health of swimmers.
St. Mary’s County Health Department Environmental Health Services Division monitors water quality at 13 local beaches. This program provides residents and visitors to St. Mary’s County with current information about water quality so they can make informed decisions about using these beaches for recreational swimming.
While swimming in natural waters is never risk free, routine monitoring for bacterial levels provides a surveillance system to identify potential health risks that may impact beach water quality.
 What health risks are associated with poor water quality?
Disease-carrying microorganisms or pathogens occurring naturally or associated with untreated sewage and animal waste may potentially pose a health threat to swimmers. These microorganisms are invisible to the naked eye and can be found in the form of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or worms. Direct exposure to pathogenic organisms might cause illnesses such as gastroenteritis, with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and rashes. Because the number of potential pathogens is too vast to monitor individually, indicator organisms, such as Enterococci and E. coli are monitored and used to assess recreational water quality.
Which beaches are monitored?
PUBLIC ACCESS BEACHES
PRIVATE ACCESS BEACHES
 When does monitoring happen?
Recreational beach monitoring takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Health department staff takes samples weekly, biweekly or monthly according to regulatory guidelines provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment and local discretion.
Links:
Staff Contact:
Ann Rose 
301-475-4321
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Click here for
Current Water Quality Report
 Recreational Beach Monitoring Program
phone line
301-475-4330
ext. SWIM
 Tips for Swimmers
 For local and national beach information
Click here.
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