Pasco Residents Should Avoid Swimming at Strickland Beach

PASCO COUNTY, FL — If you're heading for the beach this weekend, beware that the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a water quality advisory for Robert J. Strickland Beach, 6345 Clark St., Hudson.

Water sampling done on July 12 shows the presence of enterococci (intestinal bacteria) at the beach over the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold for safe swimming.

There are no advisories in effect for Brasher Park Beach, Robert K. Rees Park Beach or Gulf Harbors Beach, and there are no results to report for Anclote River Park Beach.

The Department of Health's Florida Healthy Beaches Program monitors coastal beach water by testing marine water samples every two weeks from March through October in Pasco County. The purpose of this program is to determine whether Florida has significant coastal beach water quality problems.

DOH-Pasco analyzes coastal beach water samples for enterococci, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. This type of bacteria is considered a potential risk because it may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The presence of enterococci is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage.

The next expected sampling date is July 26.

Contact the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County Environmental Health Services division at 727-841-4425, option 3, for information.