Swimming Advisory Issued In Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued a swimming advisory on Friday for the Collins Park Beach. The beach is located at 21 Street and Collins Avenue.

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"Samples of beach water collected at this location did not meet the recreational water quality standard for enterococci," according to health officials. "By state regulation, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is required to issue an advisory to inform the public in a specific area when this standard is not met."

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The advisory comes at the start of Thanksgiving week when beaches tend to be crowded with holiday visitors.

Health officials said that the advisory was issued after two consecutive water samples at the Collins Park location exceeded the federal and state recommended standard for enterococci, which is greater than 70 colony forming units of enterococci per 100ml in a single sample.

"The advisory issued recommends not swimming at this location at this time," according to health officials. "The results of the sampling indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals."

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been sampling marine beach water quality at 17 sites weekly since August 2002, through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and the proximity to pollution sources.

Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals. Exposure may cause human disease, infections, or illness. 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 said.

For more information, visit the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website and Select “Beach Water Quality” from environmental health topics.

Photo of beach goers courtesy Miami Beach Fire Department