Coastal water quality concerns — interview with Emily Floore

Emily Floore, executive director and Riverkeeper for St. Marys Riverkeeper, has spent the past several years monitoring the health of local waterways and advocating for science-based solutions to protect them. In this interview, she discusses the condition of Egans Creek and other coastal waters, the challenges posed by bacterial contamination and aging infrastructure, and the steps communities can take to safeguard one of Northeast Florida’s most valuable natural resources.

Q: Emily, can you tell me a little about your position with St. Marys Riverkeeper? What are some of the goals of your organization?

I have served as Executive Director and Riverkeeper for St. Marys Riverkeeper since 2022. I have the privilege of leading an organization dedicated to protecting the St. Marys River and its watershed — from its headwaters in the Okefenokee Swamp to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean between Cumberland Island National Seashore and Fort Clinch State Park.

Our mission is simple: to protect the St. Marys River now and for future generations. We accomplish that through three core pillars — science, advocacy, and engagement. Whether we're training citizen scientists, restoring habitat, organizing cleanups, or working with local governments to improve water quality, everything we do is focused on ensuring our rivers remain clean, healthy, and resilient for both people and wildlife.

Q: Can you tell me from your experience what is the overall health of our waterways?

Overall, our waterways remain an incredible natural asset, but they are facing increasing pressure from rapid growth, wastewater discharges, aging infrastructure, stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, and the impacts of climate change, including stronger storms and longer periods of drought.

The St. Marys Riverkeeper regularly samples more than 50 sites across the watershed, testing for bacterial contamination and water quality indicators. On Amelia Island, we sample Egans Creek, Escambia Slough, Jackson Creek, and several public boat ramps.

The good news is that not all of our waterways are impaired.

Q: What testing is being done in Egans Creek Greenway?

In addition to E. coli sampling in the freshwater stretches of Egans Creek, we began collecting Enterococcus samples at the mouth of the creek, which is a more appropriate indicator for higher-salinity environments.

We also conducted environmental DNA (eDNA) testing in August 2025 to help identify potential sources of contamination, such as human or animal sources. However, additional sampling is needed before we can draw conclusions about the source of the bacteria.

Q: It is a logical conclusion that the high E. coli readings would be coming from the aging septic tanks surrounding the greenway?

Failing septic systems are certainly one potential source, but it would be inaccurate to assume they are the only cause.

Elevated bacteria can originate from a variety of sources including failing septic systems, leaking sewer infrastructure, pet waste, livestock, wildlife, stormwater runoff, and even tidal influences.

Q: I understand that a permit is required to install a new septic system. After installation, are there any monitoring procedures to make sure the septic systems are working properly?                                    

Once a septic system is installed, routine maintenance and inspections are generally the responsibility of the property owner unless there is a complaint or a known system failure. A properly maintained septic system can often last 20 to 40 years, although its lifespan depends on factors such as maintenance, soil conditions, usage, and groundwater levels.

The Florida Department of Health maintains records for permitted septic system installations, repairs, and replacements. However, there is no statewide requirement to report routine pump-outs or ongoing maintenance, so those records are incomplete. As a result, it's difficult to determine the condition or average age of many septic systems, including those surrounding Egans Creek.

Protecting water quality requires proactive maintenance, homeowner education, and policies that encourage regular inspections and timely repairs or replacement of failing systems before they impact our waterways.

Q: I understand that the St. Marys Riverkeeper helped designate Egans Creek as an “impaired waterway.”

Yes. Thanks to St. Marys Riverkeeper's water quality monitoring, both Egans Creek and Alligator Creek (“Escambia Slough”) were listed by the State of Florida as impaired for enterococci in the 2022–2024 Biennial Assessment because of persistent bacterial contamination that exceeds state water quality standards.

Once a waterbody is listed as impaired, it becomes eligible for restoration funding through programs such as Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Those funds can support projects that reduce non-point source pollution, including septic system upgrades, connecting homes to municipal sewer where appropriate, stormwater improvements, and other watershed restoration efforts.

After St. Marys Riverkeeper presented our water quality findings to the City of Fernandina Beach, the City took action to address contamination in Escambia Slough by removing Escambia Street, restoring the shoreline, and planting native marsh grasses to reduce erosion and improve natural filtration. Those efforts have been remarkably successful. For the first time in eight years of monitoring, we have recorded no detectable E. coli at our Escambia Slough sampling site.

We've also proposed that the City consider an ordinance requiring septic systems to be inspected at the cost of the seller—and pumped if necessary—when a property changes ownership. Camden County, Georgia, adopted a similar approach to help improve water quality in the Horsepen Creek watershed, and it has been an important component of that restoration effort.

Read about it here: Clean-13-2023.pdf (Georgia Clean 13)

Q: Is it safe to recreate in kayaks and stand-up paddle boards in the section of Egans Creek between Atlantic Avenue and Amelia River?

Egans Creek is currently impaired for Enterococcus, a bacteria used as an indicator of potential fecal contamination. Enterococcus can persist in higher-salinity, brackish environments, making monitoring especially important in areas where freshwater and saltwater mix.

St. Marys Riverkeeper has collected two recent Enterococcus samples at the mouth of Egans Creek. Results were:

• June 11, 2026: 52 MPN/100mL
• July 14, 2026: 75 MPN/100mL

In Florida, Enterococcus levels below 70 MPN/100mL meet EPA recreational water quality guidance. When results exceed 70 MPN/100mL, there is an increased risk of illness from activities involving direct contact with the water, such as swimming, wading, paddling, or accidental immersion.

Based on the most recent result, recreational users should use caution when participating in activities that involve contact with the water in this area.

Q: Emily, is there anything you would specifically like to talk about on these issues that we have not discussed in the above questions?

Clean water is everyone’s responsibility. Whether it is picking up after pets, maintaining septic systems, reducing fertilizer use, supporting infrastructure improvements, or volunteering for a cleanup, every action matters.

The best decisions come from good science. Our goal is never to assign blame, but to identify problems, work with communities and local governments, and find solutions that protect our waterways for future generations.

Healthy rivers and creeks support our economy, recreation, wildlife, and quality of life. Investing in clean water is an investment in the future of our entire community.

St. Marys Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing independent water quality monitoring and science-based advocacy to protect our waterways. We invite everyone to join us in protecting clean water through their time, talent, or financial support.