Elberta, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Department of Public Health has announced the lifting of the swimming advisories for Arnica Bay at Pirate's Cove, effective immediately. Issued on April 11, 2024, the advisories were a precautionary measure due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, which have now significantly dropped below the safety thresholds established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following extensive testing and water quality assessments by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the waters have been declared safe for public use, reassuring the community and visitors of the area's environmental health.

Press Release: 

The Alabama Department of Public Health lifts the swimming advisories issued on 4/11/24 for the waters of Arnica Bay at Pirate's Cove. Based on water samples collected from these locations yesterday, swimming water quality is again good, with enterococci levels below the EPA threshold of 104 colonies per 100 milliliters.

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management operate the bacteriological water quality monitoring and notification program under a grant from the EPA’s BEACH Act Program.

Samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. High counts indicate the possibility that other disease-causing germs could be present in the water. These indicator bacteria are inhabitants of the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

For more information, visit ADEM’s website at www.adem.state.al.us. Click on monitoring at the top and then click on Coastal Alabama Beach Monitoring. Additional information is available on the EPA website entitled “Beach Watch” at www.epa.gov/ost/beaches.