By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – The federal Environmental Protection Agency has a new standard for testing coastal waters. Scott Hughes, a spokesperson for the state Department of Environmental Management, says the E-P-A now requires measuring levels of enterococcus bacteria in saltwater areas. He says the E-P-A decided testing for enterococcus levels would better indicate potential health risks in recreational water. Enterococcus is a bacteria associated with the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. Hughes says ADEM will hold a public meeting in Robertsdale next week to review the results of last year's beach monitoring and discuss any changes for this year's testing.