SARASOTA, Fla. — Several Sarasota County beaches, including the popular Siesta Key Beach, no longer are under "no swim" advisories because of the presence of enterococcus bacteria.
Officials this week cited a line of decaying algae near the shoreline called wrack lines, which are natural bacteria reservoirs. Recent heavy rainfall prompted the need to warn the public to stay out of the water.
The bacteria was discovered during water quality testing on Monday, July 25, according to the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. New testing Thursday found the following beaches have been cleared as bacteria levels have dropped:
- Siesta Key Beach
- Service Club Beach
- Casperson Beach
- Manasota Key
These beaches remain under an advisory:
- Brohard Beach
- Venice Fishing Pier
- Ringling Causeway/ Bird Key Park
Although the beaches are open, wading, swimming and water recreation are not recommended. Signs will go up in the area to warn the public of the bacteria threat, the county said.
Additional water testing is underway to determine whether the beaches can reopen soon. The discovery of high levels of enterococcus is likely due to natural sources, the county said.
“When these bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people may become ill," DOH-Sarasota Environmental Administrator Tom Higginbotham said in a statement. "People, especially those who are very young, elderly or who have a weak immune system that swallow water while swimming can get stomach or intestinal illnesses.
"If water contacts a cut or sore, people can get infections or rashes."