Bacteria Levels Prompt No-Swim Advisory at Four Manatee County Beaches
Posted
Staff Report
BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Health Manatee County is asking beachgoers to stay out of the water at four Manatee County beaches due to high levels of bacteria.
No-swim advisories have been issued for the following Manatee beaches:
Bayfront Park North in Anna Maria (water sampling site near northernmost access to the park)
Manatee Public Beach North in Holmes Beach (water sampling site near Lifeguard Station Tower 1)
Coquina Beach North in Bradenton Beach (water sampling site near Lifeguard Station Tower 5).
The no-swim advisory issued for Palma Sola South on July 25 remains in effect. Palma Sola South is located along Manatee Avenue West near Palma Sola Bay.
The no-swim advisory issued for Palma Sola South on July 25 remains in effect. Palma Sola South is located along Manatee Avenue West near Palma Sola Bay.
A no-swim advisory is issued when it is thought that contact with the water at the site could make beachgoers sick.
As a participant in the Healthy Beaches Program, DOH-Manatee collects water samples at select beaches each week. The samples are then sent to labs to determine whether or not levels of enteric bacteria (enterococci) – which can bring human disease, infections or rashes – are acceptable based on EPA standards.
If levels are read as unacceptable, a no-swim advisory is issued; a no-swim advisory is lifted once the levels read as acceptable.
DOH-Manatee received test results from samples taken at all four beaches on July 26 that show an elevated level of enterococci bacteria.
The advisories will be in effect until the waters meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety guidelines. Other beaches located in Manatee County are not under advisory.
Additional information about the Healthy Beaches program can be found by calling (941) 714-7593, or by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.FloridaHealth.gov and selecting Beach Water Quality under the Environmental Health tab of the navigation bar.
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