Tampa Bay area residents who plan to hit the beaches over the long July 4 weekend will find the Florida Department of Health has made it easy to check on water quality conditions.
Through its county offices, the state operates a biweekly water sampling program that’s meant to alert swimmers when enterococci bacteria levels in the water are too high. These organisms are found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. When they are in high concentrations in water, they can cause disease, infections and rashes, the Pinellas County Health Department wrote in an email to media.
To make it simple for beachgoers to check on the waters where they plan to swim, the state keeps a county-by-county listing of advisories on its website. Here’s a look at what the state’s saying about Tampa Bay area beaches as the long weekend nears:
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Pinellas County
No advisories have been issued for any beaches within the county as of the last water sampling date of June 29.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hillsborough
No advisories have been issued here following the last sampling date on June 29.
Manatee
No advisories have been issued here following the last sample date on June 30.
Pasco
An advisory was issued for Hudson’s Robert J. Strickland Beach on June 29.
Sarasota
No advisories have been issued for beaches here as of the last sampling date of July 1.
To keep up with water quality reports for Florida beaches, visit the department of health online.
Patch file photo
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