Health Advisory Issued For Simmons Park Beach

RUSKIN, FL - A health advisory has been issued for Simmons Park Beach based a potential risk of enterococci bacteria in the water, according to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. Samples taken Tuesday were above the EPA threshold for the bacteria.

The beach will be re-sampled Monday, Jan. 8. When re-sampling indicates that the water is within the satisfactory range, the advisory will be lifted.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has been conducting coastal beach water quality monitoring at nine sites once every two weeks since August 2000, and weekly since Aug. 5, 2002 through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.

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