2 Miami-Dade Swimming Advisories Lifted; 1 Still In Effect

SUNNY ISLES, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has lifted a swimming advisory for two Miami-Dade beaches, one in Sunny Isles and the other in Bal Harbour. One other advisory remains in effect along part of Miami Beach.

An advisory issued for Haulover South Beach was lifted Wednesday.

"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 Feb. 5, 2019 for the beach site at Sunny Isles Beach (Gilbert Samson Ocean Front Park – 174th Street Collins Avenue and Bal Harbor Beach – 96th Street Collins Avenue," health officials said.

The remaining swimming advisory that is still in effect covers the 79 Street Dog Beach in Miami Beach.

"There is no cause as to why these samples are high, but many possibilities exist such as changes in temperature, water currents, weather patterns, rainfall, etc.," Miami Beach officials said when the advisory was issued. "The Florida Department of Health has also issued swimming advisories at other beaches in Miami-Dade County, which suggests that the conditions are not site specific."

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County conducts weekly microbial water quality sampling at a number of county beaches.

The advisory recommends not swimming along the 79 Street Dog Beach.

"The results of the sampling indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals," health officials explained in imposing the advisory.

Such advisories are issued when water samples exceed federal and state recommended standards for enterococci, which is greater than 70 colony forming units of enterococci per 100 ml in a single sample.

For more information, visit the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website and Select “Beach Water Quality” from the Environmental Health topics list.

"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 explained.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano