Federation Blog

Since May 18, my interns and I have been sampling communities for Enterococci bacteria for your swimming and recreational safety.  Since this time, one community has seen high bacteria counts.  However not only do we just sample for the bacteria I also take visual measurements as well- for instance noting how many geese, ducks, boaters, swimmers; etc are present.  All of these things could potentially cause the bacteria concentration to increase.  During the past several weeks, we have witnessed between 30-55 geese making this community their home.  Some ideas to discourage the geese population are: use Mylar flagging or hang old CD by a string- anything "flashing and glittery," which geese do not like; walk dogs along the beach to scare off the geese; or consider a predator decoy .  A great long term solution is planting Spartina alterniflora- or otherwise known as smooth cordgrass - geese like short mowed grass and not long grass.

Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Recreational Water Quality Alert
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Department of Health
3 Harry Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
June 13, 2011 - GLEN ISLE IN RIVA - ADVISORY The Department of Health issued an advisory on June 13 to avoid swimming, water skiing and other direct water contact at Glen Isle on the South River in Riva, Maryland, due to high bacteria levels found in water samples collected on June 7 and June 9. The advisory will remain in effect until water samples show bacterial levels to be acceptable for at least two consecutive days. The Department of Health has posted advisory signs in the affected area. The Department advises people who have come in contact with the affected water to wash well with soap and warm water immediately. Clothing should also be washed. Many factors, such as waterfowl, rainfall, water temperature and tidal action, can cause high bacteria readings. Subscribers of free water quality e-alerts will be notified when the advisory is lifted.