Update: Swimming Advisory Lifted On Lido, Turtle Beaches

Update:

A no swim advisory for Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches was lifted Saturday afternoon. Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from samples taken Friday showing acceptable level of bacteria in the water.

This article corrects that a swimming advisory as opposed to a ban was issued.

Swimming is discouraged at three area beaches due to high levels of bacteria.

The advisory is in effect until further notice for Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches and shellfish should not be consumed from those beaches either.

Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from beach water samples taken Wednesday that show a higher level of enterococci (enteric) bacteria.

"We never like to issue advisories and are sensitive to their impact on the community," said Tom Higginbotham, Sarasota County Health Department's Environmental Health Administrator in a statement. "However, the intent of the Florida Healthy Beaches program is to provide residents and visitors with accurate, up-to-date information about the water quality at our 16 area beaches.

"Enteric bacteria can come from stormwater runoff, pet waste and wildlife and human sewage. High concentrations of these bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, infections or rashes if ingested while swimming or after entering the skin through a cut or sore."

Health officials say that shellfish collected in the immediate area of Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches show a brown tint and should not be consumed. It is safe to fish and consume fin-fish from these waters, according to the health department.

Signs advising the public not to swim or engage in water recreation at Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches will be posted until follow-up water testing results meet the Environmental Protection Agency recreational water safety standards. 

These beach/swim areas are OK for swimming:

• Ringling Causeway,
• North and South Lido,
• Longboat Key,
• Siesta,
• Nokomis,
• Brohard Park,
• Blind Pass,
• Manasota Key,
• Caspersen,
• Venice Fishing Pier,
• Service Club
• Venice

The Health Department plans to conduct follow-up water sampling Friday with results expected on Saturday afternoon. 

Residents and visitors may still use the Lido Casino, Turtle Beach and North Jetty beaches, but are urged not to wade or swim in the water or engage in water recreation until the advisory is lifted.  

Visit www.OurGulfEnvironment.net and click on water monitoring and then bacterial testing to check beach water testing results of area Gulf beaches, or call the Sarasota County Health Department Environmental Health office at 941-861-6133.