Swimming Ban Lifted On Ben T. Davis, Picnic Island Beaches

TAMPA, FL –The swimming ban placed on Ben T. Davis and Picnic Island beaches Nov. 15 has been lifted.

Follow-up testing on by the Florida Department of Health Nov. 20 shows the marine water bacterial indicators for the beaches are now satisfactory based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

The beaches were closed by the Hillsborough County Health Department after tests showed high levels of enterococci bacteria that can cause a variety of infections. The presence of the bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage, the department said.

The department conducts coastal beach water quality monitoring at nine sites once every two weeks through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.

For the latest information on the quality of water at Tampa Bay beaches, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html.

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