WATER QUALITY PROGRAM
IS YOUR WATER CLEAN?
Tampa Bay Waterkeeper tests and reports the bacteria levels of your favorite waterways bi-weekly. TBWK has partnered with USF Water Institute to show the bacteria monitoring data from TBWK's testing results, the Department of Health’s (DOH's) Healthy Beaches testing results, and the City of St. Petersburg Environmental Compliance Division's testing results.
Units used to report bacteria monitoring results may be Colony-Forming Units (CFU) or Most Probable Number (MPN) or Membrane Filter (MF) based on the analysis method. All of these units represent the number of bacteria estimated to be present within a 100-milliliter sample of water.
EPA has set the following standards for water considered safe for swimming, which are used by DOH and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper:
0-70 CFU/MPN per 100 mL enterococci per sample: Safe for swimming
70+ CFU/MPN per 100 mL enterococci per sample: Not safe for swimming
HOW DO I FIND THE LATEST WATER QUALITY RESULTS?
Check out the Tampa Bay Water Atlas! You can access the Recreational Water Quality Map here or just keep scrolling.
The Recreational Water Quality Map shows fixed coastal monitoring sites as well as inland or coastal locations where water quality conditions have recently been reported. They may include red tide/ harmful algal blooms, bacteria, or pollution. Each site when clicked provides the Sample Location, Date, Result, Status, and Description. As well as providing a chart with historical data.
WATER QUALITY LEGEND:
Current Status: Water Quality results are displayed on the map by color.
Green = Beach met water quality standards (0-35 CFU/MPN per 100 mL enterococci per sample)
Yellow = Beach has moderately met water quality standards (36-70 CFU/MPN per 100 mL enterococci per sample)
Red Circle = Beach failed to meet water quality standards (70+ CFU/MPN per 100 mL enterococci per sample)
RECREATIONAL WATER QUALITY MAP:
Click on this map to quickly view recent water quality results from recreational areas throughout Tampa Bay.
WHERE IS THE DATA?
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Tampa Bay Waterkeeper testing results data can be found here.
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Department of Health Healthy Beaches testing results data can be found on their webpage.
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The City of St. Petersburg Environmental Compliance Division testing results data can be found on Pinellas County Water Atlas.
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TBWK Quality Assurance Project Plan can be found here.
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Watch our procedure for collecting water samples here.
SPONSOR A SITE NEAR YOU!
You can sponsor water quality monitoring at any of our current sites for just $2,000 a year or $170 a month. A sponsorship provides funding for the laboratory supplies, analysis, equipment, and experienced staff that make our water quality monitoring program possible. To acknowledge your sponsorship, you will have a web linked banner ad on our Swim Guide app and be recognized on this webpage and through our social media platforms.
For more information view our Sponsorship Guide or contact us at jordangrard@tampabaywaterkeeper.org
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. All sites monitored are natural waterbodies and contaminants are present from a wide variety of sources! Local conditions fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, and especially after rainfall events. The results displayed above are only representative of the exact time, date and location at which the sample was taken and do not represent the water quality between sampling events or at other locations nearby. Users of these data should not assume that a “low” enterococci level means that it is necessarily safe or risk-free to make contact with the water. Enterococci is not the only contaminant of concern for recreational users and is used merely as an indicator of potential fecal contamination. Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, their directors, and agents can provide no guaranty of water safety and, as such, the user assumes all risks associated with the use of these data and swimming.