Swimming Advisories Lifted In Miami-Dade

MIAMI, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lifted swimming advisories on Wednesday for two beaches along Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. The beaches are located at Crandon South in Crandon Park and 73 Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

"Based on a satisfactory microbial water quality test result, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is lifting the swimming advisory that was issued on Jan. 9, 2019 for the beach site at Crandon South (Crandon Park Key Biscayne) and North Shore (73rd Street and Collins Avenue)," health officials said.

Subscribe to Miami Patch's free email news alerts and newsletters

The news comes just days before the all-important Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend when beaches tend to be crowded with visitors.

Health officials said that the advisories were issued after two consecutive water samples at both locations exceeded the federal and state recommended standard for enterococci, which is greater than 70 colony forming units of enterococci per 100ml in a single sample.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been sampling marine beach water quality weekly since August 2002. The sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and the proximity to pollution sources.

Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals. Exposure may cause human disease, infections, or illness. The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, wildlife, pets and human sewage, health officials said.

Photo of beach goers courtesy Miami Beach Fire Department