AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., encourages Texans to utilize the General Land Office’s (GLO) Texas Beach Watch website during the 2025 Beach Season. As Texas residents and people from across the country plan their visits to the Texas coast for summer vacation, the GLO’s Beach Watch program continues to provide weekly updates on beach water quality.
"As Texas Land Commissioner and as someone who grew up near the Texas coast and lived on Galveston Island for over a decade, I am committed to maintaining and safeguarding Texas beaches. A critical part of this effort is monitoring water quality for the well-being of beachgoers, coastal communities, and marine habitats," said Commissioner Buckingham. “The Texas Beach Watch program is a vital resource Texans can use to stay informed as they visit our beaches this summer. The program’s outstanding water quality monitoring helps the GLO keep Texas beaches clean and informs visitors about the health of their favorite spots along the coast.”
Click the image below to watch a video from the GLO and learn more about how Texas Beach Watch collects water quality samples:
Aerial footage of South Padre Island ahead of the 2025 Beach Season.
Click the button below to view water quality data for 172 sites along the Texas coast and sign up to receive weekly emails with water quality updates for your favorite beaches:
The Texas Beach Watch network monitors water quality data and shares findings with beachgoers, agencies, and researchers. The program tests for Enterococcus bacteria, which indicates the presence of disease-causing organisms. Enterococcus bacteria originates from animals with hair, fur, or feathers. This bacteria is a natural part of coastal ecosystems but can also be correlated with rainfall and stormwater runoff.
When a beach advisory has been issued, Texas Beach Watch (TBW) will post the advisory online and at the beach with this sign.
A water quality advisory is issued when observed bacteria levels in the water indicate possible increased risks of illness. The GLO does not close beaches when a water quality advisory is in effect. Beach closures are issued by local authorities. In 2024, Texas Beach Watch collected 8,237 samples. Last year, 797 beach advisories, representing only 9% of all samples, were posted for the entire Texas coast.
Texas Beach Watch urges all beach visitors to respect our beautiful beaches by picking up after pets, throwing trash into receptacles, and doing their part to take care of the Texas coast.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.