ICYMI: 4 Pinellas County Beaches Cleared After Bacterial Scare

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Tampa Bay area beach lovers bummed that four of Pinellas County’s most popular beaches were off limits to swimmers after bacterial tests can back unacceptable last week can breathe a sigh of relief. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says all four aced follow-up testing.

DOH officially lifted advisories for the following four beaches on Wednesday, Sept. 7:

• Honeymoon Island State Park – 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin
• Sand Key County Park – 1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater
• Indian Rocks county access – 1700 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach
• Redington Shores county access – 18200 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores

The areas were “considered a potential health risk to swimmers” last week after tests for enterococci bacteria taken on Aug. 31 came back with less than satisfactory results. DOH retested water samples from all four beaches Tuesday, the agency wrote in an email to media.

Departments of health across the state routinely sample water from beaches for the presence of enteric bacteria. These bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tracks of humans and animals and may cause disease, infections and rashes.

“The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and sewage,” the county noted.

For more information on the water quality at beaches throughout the state, visit the Florida Department of Health online.

The next routine testing of water from Pinellas County beaches is set for Sept. 12.

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