Boca Chica Beach now declared safe

The warning signs indicating high levels of bacteria at Boca Chica beach have been removed now that bacterial levels are lower.

According to Texas Beach Watch, bacteria counts of less than 35 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters have been found in the water – a level that is considered low risk.

Texas Beach Watch, a program funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas General Land Office, monitors the state’s recreational beaches. When levels of bacteria exceed the standards accepted by the EPA, the land office works with local governments to issue warnings to the public not to swim at the site.

The signs were removed late last week.

Cameron County Precinct 1 Commissioner Sofia C. Benavides said current bacteria levels should not pose any danger to those visiting the beach.

“The water is safe,” she said.

Visitors, however, may encounter shrubs, carrizo cane and other debris that has washed ashore with the seaweed after flowing in from the Rio Grande.

“It mixes and stays on the shore,” Benavides said. “We’ve seen it and there’s no ending to it.”

County public works employees have been going out to the beach twice a week to rake up the mess, Benavides said.

“Hopefully not as much will be coming in since there has not been a lot of rain or river water coming down,” the commissioner said.

Cameron County health officials earlier this month urged visitors to Boca Chica beach to be cautious of high levels of bacteria detected in the water, brought by flood waters from the Rio Grande.

At that time, the water had a concentration of more than 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, which indicated a high concentration of bacteria. It exceeded health standards, and county health officials said contact with the water could cause illness.

The waters were tested by the UTPA Coastal Studies Laboratory and bacteria were detected.