Water and sediment testing EPA is currently collecting and
analyzing water and sediment samples to help states and other
federal agencies understand the immediate and long-term impacts
of oil contamination along the Gulf coast. The results and the
interpretation of all data collected by EPA will be posted to
www.epa.gov/bpspill. Water and sediment samples are being taken
prior to oil reaching the area to determine water quality and
sediment conditions that are typical of selected bays and
beaches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida
panhandle. This data will be used to supplement existing data
generated from previous water quality surveys conducted by
states, EPA, and others. Water sampling will continue once the
oil reaches the shore; periodic samples will be collected to
document water quality changes. EPA will make data publicly
available as quickly as possible. Other state and federal
agencies make beach closure and seafood harvesting and
consumption determinations, but the data generated b