3 Swimming Advisories Issued For Miami-Dade Beaches

SUNNY ISLES, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued swimming advisories Tuesday for three area beaches. The advisories cover Gilbert Samson Ocean Front Park at 174th Street off Collins Ave in Sunny Isles, Haulover South Beach and Bal Harbour Beach at 96th Street and Collins Avenue.

"Beach water samples collected yesterday ... did not meet the recreational water quality standard for enterococci," according to health officials. "By state regulation, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is required to issue an advisory to inform the public in a specific area when this standard is not met."

The advisories recommend not swimming at any of the three locations at this time.

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

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

Photo by Paul Scicchitano