local
These Georgia beaches have elevated levels of fecal bacteria, state says
By Scott Flynn at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
Several miles of some of Georgia’s beaches are being flagged as having elevated levels of fecal bacteria. The state has singled out Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Tybee Island as having elevated levels of enterococci, a fecal bacterium, WSAV-TV reported. A total of 10 miles across three ...
Key takeaway The state has singled out Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Tybee Island as having elevated levels of enterococci, a fecal bacterium, WSAV-TV reported.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The elevated levels of fecal bacteria on Georgia's beaches, including Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Tybee Island, pose a significant concern for the local tourism industry and public health. As popular summer destinations, these beaches attract a large number of visitors, and the contamination could lead to a decline in tourism revenue. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division's inability to identify the sources of the contamination adds to the complexity of the issue. The setting of bacterial limits, known as total maximum daily loads, is a step in the right direction, but it will be crucial to monitor the effectiveness of these measures. The fact that the Clean Water Act requires states to identify polluted surface waters every two years suggests that this issue may be an ongoing challenge for the state, and local residents and businesses will be watching closely to see how the situation is addressed.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Several miles of some of Georgia’s beaches are being flagged as having elevated levels of fecal bacteria. The state has singled out Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Tybee Island as having elevated levels of enterococci, a fecal bacterium, WSAV-TV reported. A total of 10 miles across three ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scott Flynn at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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