Advisories Issued for 2 Ruskin Beaches

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued advisories for both E.G. Simmons Park Beach and Bahia Beach in Ruskin.

Water samples taken on Monday, the agency said in an email to media, tested above standards for enterococci bacteria. Water from the beaches will be sampled again on Monday, July 13.

In the meantime, the health department said, “this should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public.”

Enterococci bacteria are normally found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. The bacteria may cause “human disease, infections or rashes,” the email said. “The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.”

The advisory will be lifted once bacteria levels return to acceptable levels, the agency said.

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