4 Swimming Advisories Issued For Miami-Dade Beaches

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued swimming advisories on Wednesday for four beaches. The advisory covers Crandon North, Crandon South in Key Biscayne, Golden Beach and Dog Beach located between 80 and 81 Street in Miami Beach.

"Samples of beach water collected at these beach sites 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."

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

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

"The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals, and which may cause human disease, infections, or illness," health officials explained. "The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, wildlife, pets and human sewage."

Miami Beach officials reacted to the advisory by saying it was not clear why the samples came back high but that possible reasons may include changes in temperature, water currents, weather patterns or rainfall. "The Florida Department of Health has also issued swimming advisories at other beaches in Miami-Dade County which suggests that the conditions are not site-specific," Miami Beach officials added.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano