Swim Safe: Check ‘Swim Guide’ before going in local waterways

This article was amended from a previous version.

(July 8, 2020) A report published last week stated that a recent water quality test shows the water at Ocean Pines Swim & Racquet Club beach is “polluted” and potentially “dangerous to your health.” 

However, that report may not tell the entire story.  

Kathy Phillips, who runs the Assateague Coastkeeper organization and performed the test, said this is a teachable moment. Her organization regularly releases water quality test results through an app called “Swim Guide.”  

She said the most recent sampling of the water near the Swim and Racquet Club for the Enterococci bacteria show results in the “red,” with elevated levels of 108.4 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters. Testing is done weekly. 

According to Swim Guide, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers levels of more than 104 cfu per 100 milliliters to be “‘unsafe’ due to the increased risk of illness.” 

“Elevated counts of 105-250 means people should rinse off after swimming and keep open cuts covered with waterproof bandage. Over 250, and people should take a hot soapy shower, don’t go in the water with cuts or sores, even if covered, and clean off equipment when you get out of the water. If it’s 1,000, don’t swim,” she said. 

Phillips said the recent elevated results could have occurred because of several factors, including something as simple as pet owners not properly cleaning pet waste from their yard. She said it also could have tested higher than normal because of runoff after a recent rain.  

She said what can be learned from this incident, is the importance of knowing how individual activities can affect the health of local waterways. Runoff from waterfront homes in Ocean Pines, for instance, can have a negative impact on the St. Martin River. 

“It’s a great opportunity for people to understand, if you don’t clean up after your pets in your own yard, that goes into the river and you’ve got the Swim and Racquet Club right there,” she said. “It’s not a crisis situation, but the good thing is people are paying attention ... if they’re concerned about their waterway, they’ll do more to protect their waterway.” 

Phillips encouraged people in Ocean Pines to download the free Swim Guide app and to check regularly before swimming. “If it says red [on Swim Guide], go to the website and look at the numbers,” she said.  

Coastkeeper tests dozens of similar bodies of water throughout the area, which the Association will continue to watch and report on. 

Ocean Pines is also working with Phillips on signage for the Swim and Racquet Club, reminding swimmers to check the app before going into the water.  

“I would urge people to download the app and start paying attention — be more aware or conscious. The best thing that can happen is that people want to be more protective of their waterways and improve things,” Phillips said. 

To download Swim Guide, visit www.theswimguide.org/get-the-app.  

Kathy Phillips, The Assateague Coastkeeper, is an on-the-water advocate who patrols and protects the Maryland and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays, standing up to polluters, and granting everyone's right to clean water. For more information, visit www.actforbays.org.