Environmental Health Services Spotlight: Water Protection Program

Coastal Cleanup is on the horizon 🌅, but how does San Mateo County Environmental Health Services (EHS) care for beaches and waterways 🌊 year-round?

💧 EHS staff and volunteers collect water samples from recreational waters around the County along the oceanside and bayside each Monday.

🔬These samples are analyzed for fecal-indicator bacteria including Total Coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococci by the San Mateo County Public Health Laboratory.

🛑 The results are then used by EHS to evaluate the need to post warning signs at locations with bacteria levels that exceed State thresholds. These findings may also be used to investigate potential sources of pollution.

Interested in a career that protects people 👪 and the environment 🌄? Explore the EHS Water Protection Program webpage here, and contact GJSmith@smcgov.org to schedule an informational interview. To learn more about the weekly beach and creek mouth monitoring and volunteer opportunities, check out the beach webpage and their newsletter!

Stella, one of Environmental Health Services’ Water Protection Program staff, collects water samples to be tested.

You don’t have to be part of the EHS team to help protect your favorite water spots!

🙋Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup this September! Remove litter before it makes its way to a storm drain. Register with a group or go solo – visit smchealth.org/ccd.

🐶🐱Pick up pet waste during walks and in your own yard, especially before a storm ☔. Take Flows To Bay’s Scoop the Poop Pledge for a chance to win a free pet canister.

🚽 If you have a septic system, ensure that you inspect and pump your tank every 3-5 years to ensure it is working properly.

❌ Do not put anything into storm drains and call your city’s public works department if you see illegal dumping.

🐌🌱 Limit or eliminate your use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers as they can leach into the watershed and pollute recreational waters.

Thank you for doing your part to care for your community and the environment. 🌍

What is a Cross Connection?

You bought a house that has an irrigation well on the property that is connected to the landscape irrigation system, but you also have a city water connection for your drinking water. You are very happy because you are going to save money on your water bill! In case the well pump stops working, your landscape irrigation system is also connected to your home’s water supply system. When there are connections between a drinking (potable) water system and any other water source or system, this is called a cross-connection.

Healthy Recreational Water

Beaches are posted if levels of bacteria exceed safe levels

By Kate Elgin, Environmental Health Specialist, San Mateo County Environmental Health

We are lucky in San Mateo County to be located between the majestic San Francisco Bay and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, but how do you know if the ocean, lagoon and creek water your family plays in is safe? San Mateo County Environmental Health samples 43 beach, bay and creek mouth sites weekly.