DOH-Bay Lifts Water Quality Health Advisories – WJHG

Water Quality Improvement Report: Bay County, Florida, and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay) has officially rescinded health advisories previously issued for five public recreational water sites. This action follows successful water quality tests indicating a return to safe conditions, free from high bacterial levels. This development directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning public health, clean water, and the protection of marine ecosystems.

Advisory Status Update

On November 3, 2025, DOH-Bay confirmed that water sample tests showed levels of Enterococcus bacteria are now within the acceptable thresholds established by state guidelines. Consequently, advisories have been lifted for the following locations:

1. Laguna Beach (SP 2), 19440 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
2. Rick Seltzer Park (SP 6), 7419 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 324018
3. Carl Gray Park (SP 9), Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL 32401
4. Beach Drive (SP 10), US-98 West Beach Drive, Panama City, FL 32401
5. Earl Gilbert Park (SP 11), 6601 Oak Shore Drive, Parker, FL 32404

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The successful remediation and diligent monitoring of water quality in Bay County directly contribute to the global agenda for sustainable development. The positive outcome aligns with the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  By ensuring that recreational waters are free from harmful levels of bacteria, DOH-Bay’s actions safeguard public health. This prevents potential waterborne illnesses and promotes safe physical activity, which is essential for community well-being and achieving Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This event highlights the importance of effective water quality management. The systematic testing and subsequent lifting of the advisory demonstrate a commitment to Target 6.3, which aims to improve ambient water quality by reducing pollution, and Target 6.6, which focuses on protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The presence of Enterococcus bacteria indicates pollution that can harm marine life. Restoring water quality to safe standards is a critical step in protecting coastal and marine ecosystems from land-based pollution sources, directly aligning with Target 14.1 to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  Access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces is fundamental to creating sustainable communities (Target 11.7). This action restores public access to valuable natural assets, enhancing the quality of life for residents and supporting a sustainable local economy.

Conclusion

The lifting of the water quality advisories by the Florida Department of Health in Bay County represents a significant positive outcome for public health and the local environment. It serves as a practical example of local governance contributing to the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring a healthy and sustainable environment for both present and future generations. Official test results are available from the Florida Department of Health.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on water quality advisories in Bay County, Florida, connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on health, water quality, and environmental protection.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The primary purpose of the health advisories issued by the Florida Department of Health is to protect the public from illnesses caused by exposure to high levels of harmful bacteria in recreational waters. By monitoring water quality and informing the public, the department works to ensure the well-being of residents and visitors, directly aligning with the goal of promoting healthy lives.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This goal aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The article’s focus on testing and reporting the quality of public water bodies (beaches) is a core component of managing water resources to ensure they are safe for recreational use, which falls under the broader objective of improving ambient water quality.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The article discusses the water quality at several beaches, which are coastal marine environments. The presence of high bacterial levels, such as Enterococcus, is a form of marine pollution, often originating from land-based sources like sewage or runoff. Monitoring and managing this pollution is crucial for conserving and sustainably using marine ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The content of the article allows for the identification of specific targets within the aforementioned SDGs.

1. Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article directly relates to this target. The action of issuing and lifting health advisories based on bacterial levels is a preventative measure designed to reduce public illnesses resulting from contaminated water. The lifting of the advisory signifies that the immediate health risk from this specific type of water pollution has been mitigated.
2. Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…” The article’s subject is the outcome of water quality testing. The statement that tests “indicate that the water quality at the above locations shows an acceptable level” demonstrates the practice of monitoring to ensure water quality standards are met, which is a fundamental step toward the broader goal of reducing water pollution.
3. Target 14.1: “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.” The bacterial contamination mentioned in the article is a type of marine pollution that typically originates from land-based activities. The monitoring program described is a key tool for managing and ultimately reducing this form of pollution in coastal areas.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly and implicitly refers to indicators used to measure progress towards these targets.

• Primary Indicator: Level of Enterococcus bacteria. The article explicitly states that the advisories were related to “high bacterial levels” and were lifted because tests showed an “acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines.” This provides a specific, measurable indicator.
  • For Target 3.9, the concentration of this fecal indicator bacteria serves as a direct measure of the risk of waterborne illness.
  • For Target 6.3, this measurement is an indicator of ambient water quality (specifically, Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality).
  • For Target 14.1, it acts as an indicator for a specific type of land-based marine pollution.
• Implied Indicator: Compliance with State Guidelines. The article mentions that the bacterial levels are now “acceptable” as “established by state guidelines.” This implies the existence of a threshold-based indicator system. The number of days or percentage of time that a specific water body is in compliance with these guidelines can be used as an indicator to track progress in maintaining safe and clean water over time.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wjhg.com