Swimming Advisory Lifted For Dog Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — If you've been chomping at the bit to go swimming with your chihuahua this weekend, your wish has come true. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has lifted a swimming advisory for the 79 Street Dog Beach in Miami Beach.

"Based on a satisfactory microbial water quality test result, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has lifted the swimming advisory that was issued on February 6, 2019" health officials said.

Health officials lifted swimming advisories for three other Miami-Dade beaches earlier this week -- one in Sunny Isles, one in Bal Harbour and the other for Haulover South Beach.

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

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