It depends on how and where one looks at the waters of Palma Sola Bay when determining its health.
Water testing for enterococcus bacteria on the south side of the bay indicates good or moderate quality while testing on the north side of the bay frequently indicates poor or unhealthy water quality.
Palma Sola Bay is an embayment in west Manatee that flows into Anna Maria Sound and provides sanctuary for manatees, dolphins, wading birds, fish and other wildlife, as well as serving as a recreation area for people.
Suncoast Waterkeeper has been collecting water quality data from the north side of the bay — north of Manatee Avenue at the Palma Sola Causeway just before the humpback bridge nearest the mainland.
The group’s results have shown levels of enterococcus bacteria consistently exceed those on the south side, which is monitored by the Manatee County Department of Health.
Enterococcus bacteria, associated with fecal contamination, can pose health risks to people, including gastrointestinal issues and skin infections.
Test results for the north side have indicated contamination levels that typically warrant public safety warnings and the group is working to identify the biological origin of the excess bacteria.
For reference, a report of 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters of marine water is considered good, 36-70 cells is moderate and 71 or greater is poor.
The group’s April 1 report showed 199 cells per 100 milliliters. An April 8 report showed 75 cells per 100 milliliters.
By comparison, the health department’s April 2 report for south Palma Sola showed less than 35.4 cells per 100 milliliters. An April 8 report showed less than 35.4 cells per 100 milliliters. The DOH testing site on the south shore of the bay is east of the humpback bridge.
“We have collected sediment and water samples that are at the lab now,” Tyrna told The Islander April 11. “We hope to get results in the next couple of weeks.”
Tyrna said the group’s initial efforts for DNA marker testing were thwarted by inclement weather, resulting in increased expenses and the need to pursue a grant for further testing.
While Suncoast Waterkeeper focuses mainly on harmful bacteria levels, the SBEP uses data collected by the health department to assess the well-being of the estuary.
“We’ve developed a report card we’ve been using to let our partners and the public know the status and the health of the bay,” Jay Leverone, program scientist at SBEP, said April 11.
He said the health reports are based on total nitrogen, chlorophyll, seagrass acreage and macroalgae.
Leverone said the group has been tracking such data since 2006.
He recognized the bacteria issue being tracked by Suncoast Waterkeeper but said overall Palma Sola shows the markers of a healthy body of water.
“Palma Sola, of all the bay segments, has, year in and year out, shown the best overall health according to the metrics that we measure,” Leverone said.
With nitrogen, chlorophyll, and macroalgae numbers consistently within healthy margins, he said the bay annually maintains about 1,100 acres of seagrass.
“It’s kind of a unique system,” Leverone said, referring to the bay’s ability to maintain its seagrass.
Leverone said monitoring will look at stormwater runoff from both existing neighborhoods and future development.
Suncoast Waterkeeper reports its findings weekly at suncoastwaterkeeper.org/safetoswim.
The SBEP report card can be found online at sarasotabay.org/our-estuaries/report-card/.