TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County issued a public health advisory for Bahia and Davis Island beaches because of high bacteria levels.
In a news release, health leaders said this should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public. Swimming isn't recommended at these beaches.
The health advisory comes after samples taken were above the threshold for enterococci bacteria. The beaches will be re-sampled in a week, which will determine if the advisory will be lifted or not.
Usually, an advisory is issued when the beach action value is 70.5 or higher.
"The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes," health leaders explain in the release. "The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage."
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has been conducting coastal beach water quality monitoring at nine sites once every two weeks since August 2000 and weekly since Aug. 5, 2002.
