Swimming Advisory Lifted In Miami Beach

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

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"Based on a satisfactory microbial water quality test result, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is lifting the swimming advisory that was issued on Nov. 16, 2018 for the beach site at Collins Park (21 Street) in Miami Beach," health officials said.

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The news comes days before the Thanksgiving holiday when beaches tend to be crowded with 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 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