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Highlands Today

Beachgoers leave nasty mess behind

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: May 31, 2009

SEBRING - A rash of dirty diapers littered on Veterans Beach over the last few weeks had the city's public works official crying foul.

"There is a danger of fecal matter getting into the swimming area," said Rob Miller, director of public works.

"They're finding (soiled diapers) on the beach and in the water," said Miller.

Preston Colby, who repairs, changes and adjusts the city's buoys at its public beaches, reported to Miller that he found about 12 to 14 soiled diapers at Veterans Beach over the Memorial Day holiday.

"This is a public health hazard," said Colby on Friday.

Colby said he's seeing the same problem at Avon Park's Donaldson Park Beach on Lake Verona.

Miller just wanted people with young children to be more considerate of others when changing their children's dirty diapers.

The city has about 12 trash cans at Veterans Beach plus a huge dumpster, said Miller.

"So there are plenty of opportunities to throw them away properly," he said. "I'm sure; at least I hope these people are not throwing them on their driveways or their yards at home, so why not do the same thing when they are out. I'd be embarrassed if I left something like that behind.

"Just clean up after yourself!" he exclaimed.

Miller said his department will make sure the cans are emptied regularly so there will be no excuse for anyone to litter in a way that causes health concerns to others.

The city's beaches are tested each month by the Highlands County Health Department.

The last test samples taken May 26 at Veterans Beach indicated the presence of fecal coliform at acceptable levels - 2 parts per 100 milliliters, according to Stefi Depovic, laboratory technician level III.

A reading of 175 parts per 100 ml or above is considered unsafe, she said.

City Pier Beach remained closed due to water levels, but acceptable levels of fecal coliform were sampled there as well; 7 parts per 100 ml.

Crescent Beach showed coliform levels that were within an acceptable range, 3 parts per 100 ml and water samples at Hidden Beach showed acceptable fecal coliform levels at 8 parts per 100 ml.

"Coliforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com.

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