High levels of bacteria found at Spencer Beach Park

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health warns the public about the water quality of Spencer Beach Park in West Hawaiʻi after detecting high levels of bacteria that may make swimmers ill.

The Department of Health Clean Water Branch detected levels of 178 per 100 milliliters of enterococci, which indicates that potentially harmful microorganisms—such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites—may be present in the water.

Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely populations to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming.

According to the Clean Water Branch, swimming-related illnesses can be unpleasant, but are usually not serious.

The most common illness associated with swimming in water polluted by fecal pathogens is gastroenteritis. It occurs in a variety of forms that can have one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache, or fever.

Other minor illnesses that may be possible include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections. In highly polluted water, swimmers may occasionally be exposed to more serious diseases.

The Clean Water Branch states that not all illnesses from a day at the beach are from swimming, and at any given time and place, the public is constantly exposed to a variety of microorganisms that have the potential to make us ill.

Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The beach has been posted, and this advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters.

For more information, visit the Clean Water Branch website.