HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Recent tests at Picnic Island Beach revealed that the water quality does not meet recreational criteria, the Hillsborough County Health Department said in a news release.
The health department is advising residents against any water-related activities at the beach due to an overabundance of enterococcus bacteria posing an "increased risk of illness in swimmers."
Enterococcus bacteria can cause infections that are difficult to treat, according to the National Library of Medicine.
"Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines," Hillsborough County Health officials said in the release.
The advisory will reportedly remain in effect until bacteria levels in Picnic Island's water are reduced below the accepted health level, the department said.
Test results for Picnic Island can be found here. For more information on Picnic Island's water-recreation ban, call 813-559-2024 or visit Hillsborough.FloridaHealth.gov.
