Swimming Advisory In Effect For Spanish River Beach In Boca Raton

From the City of Boca Raton:

February 11, 2020

The Florida a Department of Health (FDOH) of Palm Beach County conducts regular beach water quality sampling and has posted a Health Advisory for Spanish River Park in Boca Raton. A recent sampling showed elevated bacterial levels in the water. As a precaution, swimming at Spanish River Park beach is prohibited until further notice.

FDOH found sample levels to be greater than 185 colonies per 100 millimeters of marine water putting Spanish River Park beach in the poor range, which indicates a potential health risk to the bathing public.

For the safety of our residents and visitors, swimming is prohibited until further notice; however, the park and beach will remain open. Additional water samples will be taken and it is hoped that full use of the beach may resume within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The cause of the elevated level of bacteria that prompted the advisory is unknown, but the cause is generally associated with storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. Advisory signs and red flags will be posted at beach entrances indicating “NO SWIMMING” until water quality is satisfactory.

For more information please contact the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County at 561-837-5988.

Or you can visit the FL Department of Health’s website for Beach Water Quality at www.doh.state.fl.gov. Select Environmental Health tab > Water > Beach Water Quality. Click on the drop down arrow next to Counties and select “Palm Beach County.”

View Palm Beach County’s Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results official press release.

This press release was produced by the City of Boca Raton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.