‘Safe Waterways Act’ would help notify public of unsafe beaches, water

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A House committee passed a bill called the “Safe Waterways Act,” that will require the Department of Health issue health advisories if beach waters or a public bathing place fail to meet standards.

Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, carried the bill which passed through the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee Monday. Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, is carrying the identical bill in the Senate.

“HB 177 is an important bill to ensure safe water conditions in our beaches and waterways,” Gossett-Seidman said.

The sponsor said it requires the health department sample and report contaminated public beaches and waters in a timely manner.

Currently, the Florida State statutes only authorized this, and does not require regular recording.

It also requires notifying municipalities affected, installing signage in a timely manner, and close beaches as needed.

Currently, the department does not have authority to close beaches.

The bill establishes additional rule requirements, such as requiring owners of beach waters and public bathing places to both notify the local county health department and resample the water within 24 hours after a test result indicates water quality violations.

Additionally, signage will be used when issuing health advisories against swimming in affected waters and requires signs to be displayed in conspicuous areas around the affected waters until subsequent testing shows that the bacteria levels meet water quality standards.

Finally, the bill requires the department to establish a statewide interagency database for reporting fecal indicator bacteria data for beach waters and public bathing places and requires the data to published in the database within five business days after receipt.

The purpose of this bill is to “strengthen the current language and procedures to inform and protect residents and visitors when our state’s beautiful waters are temporarily deemed unsafe,” Gossett-Seidman said.

Rep. Kelly Skidmore, R-Boca Raton, said she supports the bill in debate and recognizes its importance.

“It’s just common sense that people should be made aware, we should be testing regularly, routinely and letting folks know whether the waterway is safe. […] I applaud you for filing this legislation,” Skidmore said.

The bill provides an effective date of July 1.