‘No-Swim’ Advisory Issued At Venice Beach: FL DOH - Sarasota County

VENICE, FL — A “no-swim” advisory has been issued for Venice Beach, according to Sarasota County health officials.

The amount of enterococcus bacteria found in routine weekly water samples taken at the beach Wednesday is “outside acceptable limits,” a Florida Department of Health news release said.

While the beach remains open, wading, swimming and water recreation isn’t recommended while the advisory is in place.

Shellfish, such as crabs and shrimp, collected from the immediate area during the advisory, also shouldn’t be eaten. Finfish caught live and healthy can be eaten if fileted.

Signage advising the public of the advisory is in place until follow-up water testing results meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standard.

The department of health in Sarasota County expects to have the next round of test results on Friday after 2 p.m.

Enteroccocus bacteria comes from a variety of natural and human-made sources, including pet waste, livestock, birds, wildlife (Land-dwelling and marine), stormwater runoff, or human sewage from failed septic systems and sewage spills.

No sewage spills have been reported within one mile of Venice Beach in the past two weeks, FDOH said.

The cause of the elevated bacteria levels is likely from natural sources, the rapid-response team from Sarasota County and the city of Venice found.

Recent rainfall in the area washing accumulated pollutants, including bacteria from birds, pet feces and wildlife into local waters, might have contributed to the increased levels.

"When these bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people may become ill, Tom Higginbotham, environmental administrator for FDOH in Sarasota County, said. “People, especially the very young, elderly or who have a weak immune system that swallow water while swimming can get stomach or intestinal illnesses. If water comes in contact with a cut or sore, people can get infections or rashes.”