Water Quality Issues Threaten Tourism and Business Along the Coast
Mississippiโs Gulf Coast is a top vacation spot. Families come for the beaches, seafood, and warm weather. But now, water quality concerns are scaring visitors away. Health officials keep issuing bacterial advisories. Tourists are second-guessing their plans. Businesses are feeling the impact.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has already issued multiple advisories this year. The warnings tell beachgoers to avoid the water. People arenโt taking chances. Some move further down the beach. Others cancel their trips altogether. The tourism industry is taking a hit.
Water Quality Advisories Are Hurting Local Businesses
Mississippiโs tourism industry brings in over $17.5 billion a year. The Gulf Coast sees 43 million visitors annually. When bacterial advisories become frequent, businesses struggle.
Barney Foster has rented boats and jet skis since the 1980s. He says advisories scare people away. Tourists head to Gulf Shores or Pensacola instead. โI watch my friends in Florida have packed beaches while we sit empty,โ he said. โThese warnings hurt business, and they hurt us all.โ
Water Quality and the Real Cause of Mississippiโs Beach Problems
The Mississippi Sound receives water from five major river systems. These rivers carry sediment, organic material, and bacteria. The water looks brown, not because itโs dirty, but because of the nutrients it holds.
In 2019, the Bonnet Carrรฉ Spillway opened for 121 days. It flooded the Sound with fresh river water. Salinity levels dropped. The imbalance led to a toxic algae bloom. Beaches were closed for months. Businesses lost thousands.
Water Quality Testing Shows Increase in Bacteria Levels
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality tests beach water weekly. Enterococcus bacteria is the main concern. It comes from stormwater runoff, sewage leaks, and natural sources. If bacteria levels exceed safe limits, an advisory is issued.
A study by Mississippi State University found bacterial advisories increasing. From 2010 to 2021, Hancock County saw a 422% increase. Harrison County had 390 advisories in 11 years. Thatโs four times more than the previous decade.
Water Quality Solutions Must Focus on Research and Infrastructure
Mississippi needs better infrastructure. Researchers are studying bacteria levels. More funding must go into stormwater and sewage system improvements. Without action, advisories will keep rising. Tourism will keep suffering.
The coast depends on clean beaches. Businesses canโt afford another year of bad press. Leaders must prioritize water quality before itโs too late.
