2 Popular Beaches Get Bad Bacterial Reports

TAMPA, FL — Folks with plans to soak up some sun at Picnic Island or Cypress Point Beach might want to think twice before getting into the water. The Hillsborough County Health Department has issued an advisory for both beaches following routine water quality testing.

According to the agency, water samples taken on Monday, Feb. 20, came back with levels of enterococci bacteria that were beyond the threshold for safety. While the water will be checked again on Monday, Feb. 27, people are being asked to avoid swimming until an all-clear is given.

“This should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public,” the health department wrote in a Thursday email to media.

The county’s health department conducts coastal beach water quality monitoring at nine sites every week. Water is tested for “enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes,” the email said. “The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.”

Cypress Point Beach is located within a city park at 5620 Cypress St. In addition to the beach, the park has hiking trails, a boardwalk and places to fish. Picnic Island Beach is located at 7409 Picnic Island Blvd. in Tampa.

For more information on the water quality at beaches throughout the state, visit the Florida Department of Health online.

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