See which Houston-area beaches currently have dangerous fecal matter levels, per government readings

Galveston Seawall 14th-60th Street Number of High Level results cases: 0 Number of medium level results cases: 0 Number of low level results cases: 16 County: Matagorda

>>>Click through to see which Gulf Coast beaches in Galvesotn, near Houston and down the coast have medium and high advisory ratings for fecal matter in the water.

( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle ) ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle ) less Galveston Seawall 14th-60th Street Number of High Level results cases: 0 Number of medium level results cases: 0 Number of low level results cases: 16 County: Matagorda

>>>Click through to ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close See which Houston-area beaches currently have dangerous fecal matter levels, per government readings 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

The current Houston heatwave may prompt a trip down to the Gulf Coast this weekend, but you need to be careful.

Yes, during this time of high temperatures and thick humidity, the thought of a dip in the ocean sounds like it would be incredibly refreshing.

While many of the beach spots near Houston, Galveston and other Gulf areas are perfectly safe, there are several areas that are not safe for swimming, according to the latest reading from the state officials.

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Texas Beach Watch is a program that is designed to provide the public with information about water quality at selected recreational beaches along the Texas coast in Aransas, Brazoria, Cameron, Galveston, Harris, and Jefferson, Matagorda, Nueces and San Patricio counties.

The organization monitors bacteria levels in the water that exceed the acceptable standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Those agencies work with local governments to issue advisories warning the public not to swim in affected waters.

According to the state program, the bacteria it tests for in Texas' coastal waters come from a variety of sources including storm and flood runoff, boating waste, sewage overflows and general waste from humans and animals.

In order to monitor the bacteria levels, water samples are collected and tested at certain recreational beaches along the Texas coast.

In addition, the site says that "the main route of exposure to disease-causing organisms in recreation waters is contact with polluted water while swimming, including accidental ingestion of contaminated water."

Texas Beach Watch lists potential illnesses that could result from ingesting that dangerous water including Bacterial infections such as cholera, salmonellosis, shigellosis, and gastroenteritis.

Viral infections like infectious hepatitis, gastroenteritis, and intestinal diseases can also be contracted.

During the "peak beach season,"(May through September), the water samples are collected every week.

If the water quality exceeds acceptable bacterial levels in a certain area, Texas Beach Watch says local governments and, or the GLO should provide and post advisory signs at beach access points making note of that hazardous information.

Above, you can see which beaches near Houston-area, Galveston and other Gulf Coast beaches currently have dangerous fecal matter levels, according to the latest readings from TexasBeachWatch.com.

The data in the slides above was collected from June 17-19, 2019.

Peter Dawson is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | Peter.Dawson@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.