BRADENTON — The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued a water quality advisory for Palma Sola South on the east end of the Palma Sola Causeway and the south side of Manatee Avenue West. Two other beach testing sites returned results that were listed as "poor."
Tests completed on Monday, May 6, 2024, and Wednesday, May 8, 2024, indicated that the water quality at Palma Sola south does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the FDOH.
DOH-Manatee has advised against water-related activities at this location due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers. Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.
Samples from Coquina Beach north on May 6 were also listed as poor because of Enterococcus bacteria levels but were updated to "moderate" after samples from May 8 were analyzed.
The advisory for Palma Sola south will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level, according to the FDOH. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.