Swimming Advisories Issued At 2 Miami-Dade Beaches

MIAMI, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued swimming advisories Friday for two Miami-area beaches.

Officials recommend that people not swim at Crandon South Beach in Key Biscayne and Haulover Beach South.

"Samples of beach water collected at these locations 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."

Health officials said the advisories were issued after 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 100 ml in a single sample.

"The advisory issued recommends not swimming at these locations at this time," according to health officials. "The results of the sampling indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals."

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been sampling marine beach water quality at 16 sites weekly since August 2002, through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. 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, according to health officials.

"The purpose of the Florida Healthy Beaches program is to determine whether Florida has significant beach water quality concerns," officials explained.

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

Photo by Paul Scicchitano