Beach Water Advisory Issued for Gulfport Harbor Beach

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued a beach water contact advisory for Gulfport Harbor Beach due to elevated bacteria levels. The advisory indicates an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in the affected area, though the beach is not closed. The advisory will be lifted once water samples show safe bacteria levels.

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What changed

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has issued a beach water contact advisory for Gulfport Harbor Beach, specifically the area from 20th Street eastward to Thornton Avenue (Station 9). This advisory is issued through the MDEQ's Beach Monitoring Program and indicates that bacteria levels may pose an increased risk of illness for swimmers. The beach remains open, but caution is advised.

Regulated entities and the public should be aware of this advisory. The MDEQ recommends that swimming should not occur during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall, a standing recommendation from the Beach Task Force. The advisory will be lifted once water samples confirm that bacteria levels are safe for contact. Entities involved in public health communication or tourism in the affected area should disseminate this information. To receive advisories directly, individuals can text "MDEQbeach" to (833)259-4545 or follow @MDEQ on Twitter.

What to do next

Disseminate advisory information to the public and relevant stakeholders.
Monitor MDEQ updates for lifting of the advisory.
Adhere to the Beach Task Force recommendation of avoiding swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

Source document (simplified)

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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, through its Beach Monitoring Program, has issued a beach water contact advisory for Gulfport Harbor Beach.

The beach is not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in this area. When water samples show that bacteria levels are safe for contact, the advisory will be lifted. There are currently seven water contact advisories in effect on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Again, an ADVISORY has been ISSUED for:

Gulfport Harbor Beach – The affected area is from 20th eastward to Thornton Ave. (Station 9) Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming should not occur during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

More information about the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program and the location of beach sampling stations is available here.

To be included in a public group list to receive beach advisories directly, text “MDEQbeach” to (833)259-4545 or follow MDEQ on Twitter: @MDEQ.

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