Swimming Advisory Issued for North Shore

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued a swimming advisory on Wednesday for North Shore. Water samples were taken at 73rd Street off Collins Avenue.

"Samples of beach water collected at North Shore (73rd Street) in Miami Beach the most southern portion of Miami Beach 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." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Beach Patch.)

The advisory comes just weeks before the all-important Labor Day holiday when beaches tend to be crowded.

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Health officials said that the advisory was issued after two consecutive water samples at the North Shore 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 16 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 of Miami Beach Fire Department