Maine Health Beaches Logo Advice Photo
ADVICE BEACH STATUS SCIENCE RESOURCES PARTNERS HOME

Maintaining healthy beaches is simple!
 
At the Beach General Hygiene
Citizen Keeping Kids Clean
Beach-Loving Pets and Wildlife
Boaters Boaters

A little awareness on everyone's part will keep our beaches clean and beautiful. Don't worry, it's not going to spoil your fun. Staying healthy at the beach can be as simple as remembering your sunscreen.

Share the knowledge!
If You Have a Recreational Water-Borne Illness...
Seek treatment from your medical provider. Report illness to lifeguard, Beach Manager, or staff on duty.
To report a water related illness...
Contact the Maine CDC at 207.287.8016
207.287.4479 TTY or 800.821.5821
disease.reporting@maine.gov
At the beach GENERAL HYGIENE: HEALTHY HABITS

  • Do not swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Do not swallow the water.
  • Shower with soap before swimming and wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
  • Do not go swimming when an advisory is posted.
  • Avoid water contact after heavy rainfall.
  • Maintain and routinely pump out your septic system.
  • Report any illicit or questionable discharges to your Local Plumbing Inspector
  • Properly dispose of pet waste and/or livestock manure.
  • Maintain appropriate vegetative buffers along waterways.
back to top  
CitizenKEEPING KIDS CLEAN

  • Take your children for frequent bathroom breaks.
  • Use "swim diapers" with absorbent padding.
  • Change diapers frequently, away from the water's edge - in a bathroom if possible.
  • Dispose of diapers properly. Place them in trash receptacles or seal them in a plastic bag to carry out with you.
  • Wash your kid's hands when they've been in the bathroom. A sanitary wipe or liquid hand sanitizer can do the trick.
  
back to top  
Animals BEACH-LOVING PETS AND WILDLIFE

  • Scoop the poop. Carry it out or place securely in the trash. Keep an empty plastic bag tied to your dog's leash so you're always prepared.
  • Check and obey the dog rules posted at your favorite beach or water-side park.
  • Do not feed the birds or wildlife on or near the beach. Feeding can be harmful to waterfowl and water quality.
  • Trash amy attract waterfowl and other animals. Carry out all trash or dispose of it properly.
  
back to top  
Boaters BOATING BASICS
  • Download the Maine Healthy Beaches
    Boater's Education Brochure

  • Use Your Head! Never discharge untreated sewage directly into the water.
  • Dispose of boat sewage properly. Know the location of pump-out stations.
  • Make certain you know the laws. It is illegal to discharge raw sewage within 3 miles of the coast. All boats with an installed toilet must have a properly functioning Marine Sanitation Device (MSD). It is illegal to discharge any sewage (treated or untreated) in a No Discharge Zone designation.
  • If you know of any violations, report them to the local harbormaster.
  

 

© 2003 - 2010 Maine Healthy Beaches. All rights reserved.