Health Officials Lift Swimming Advisory

KEY BISCAYNE, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lifted a swimming advisory on Tuesday for one Miami-area beach but left another advisory in place. Officials lifted the advisory for Key Biscayne Beach Club. The advisory remains in effect for Crandon South.

Health officials had previously issued a similar advisory for Miami Crandon North Beach, but that advisory was subsequently lifted, according to health officials.

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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 Sept. 6, 2018 for the beach site at Key Biscayne Beach Club," health officials said.

"The swimming advisory that was issued on Sept. 6, 2018 for Crandon South remains in effect until further notice," officials added.

By state regulation, the Florida Department of Health is required to issue advisories when water quality does not meet 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.

Health officials said that the advisories were issued after two consecutive water samples exceeded the standard. "The results of the sampling indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals," health officials explained.

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 by Paul Scicchitano