May 20, 2026 — Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., encourages Texans to utilize the General Land Office’s (GLO) Texas Beach Watch website to stay informed about beach water quality during the 2026 beach season. The GLO's Texas Beach Watch program will provide weekly updates on beach water quality to Texans and beachgoers from across the country throughout the summer.
"Having lived on the Texas coast for over a decade, maintaining our beaches, coastal communities, and marine habitats is a mission near to my heart," said Commissioner Buckingham. "The General Land Office's Texas Beach Watch Program expertly monitors beach water quality and provides results to all beachgoers, empowering them to stay informed and help maintain the health and safety of our beaches and coastal waters. I encourage Texans and visitors to utilize this vital resource as we begin enjoying another beautiful Texas summer."
Click the image below to watch the GLO's video on how Texas Beach Watch notifies the public about bacteria levels at select beaches:
Visit https://www.texasbeachwatch.com/ to view water quality data for 177 sites along the Texas coast and sign up to receive weekly emails with water quality updates for your favorite beaches.
Texas Beach Watch
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.
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. Local authorities issue beach closures. In 2025, Texas Beach Watch collected 7,871 water quality samples. The same year, 401 beach advisories were issued, a 25.4% decrease from 2024. These beach advisories represented only 5% of all samples collected from the Texas coast.
Texas Beach Watch urges all beach visitors to respect our beautiful beaches by picking up after pets, throwing trash away in receptacles, and doing their part to take care of the Texas coast.
