FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The city of Fairhope has begun conducting water quality tests in addition to those performed by state and county agencies, following several swimming advisories issued this year by the state health department for the beach park north of the municipal pier.

Another advisory was issued today, July 15, by the health department, which was the fifth one this year warning against swimming in that area.

The site was retested today and results will be available tomorrow afternoon, according to a health department news release.

Preliminary water quality tests in the bay and duck pond at the beach park and at various locations in Fly Creek, which have been conducted by the city’s water and sewer department during the past few weeks, have shown high levels of water pollution indicators beyond legal limits, according to city staff.

The local swimming advisories did not stem from water quality problems at the city’s sewage system because testing there by the city showed minimal counts compared to that found elsewhere in the area, staff said. A probable cause, instead, was nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff into the creek, pond and bay.

The city plans to release the results of its own testing as soon as possible, according to staff.

For the full story, see upcoming edition of the The Fairhope Courier.