Swimming Advisories Lifted In Miami-Dade

KEY BISCAYNE, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lifted swimming advisories on Friday for two beaches along Key Biscayne. The beaches include Key Biscayne Beach Club and Crandon South in Crandon Park.

"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. 31, 2019 for the beach site at Key Biscayne Beach Club and Crandon South (Crandon Park Key Biscayne)," health officials said.

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The news comes ahead of what could be a good beach weekend with temperatures expected to reach the high 70s.

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 by Paul Scicchitano