SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Portions of three popular Georgia beaches were flagged for elevated levels of a fecal bacteria by state officials in 2026.
Several sections of Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Tybee Island were singled out as having elevated levels of enterococci, a fecal bacteria. Over 10 miles of surface water were identified between the three beaches, which are popular tourist destinations.
This includes two miles of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, over two miles of beach on Tybee Island and over a mile of Saint Simons Island’s South Beach.
Enterococci is one of two fecal indicators used to protect human health in recreational waters, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) experts report. The bacteria lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, like humans, and can come from several sources…