Swimming Advisory Lifted In Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lifted a swimming advisory on Tuesday for an area of North Shore. The affected area is located at 73rd Street off Collins Avenue. It was the second advisory for that location since August.

"Based on a satisfactory microbial water quality test result, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is lifting the swimming advisory that was issued on Nov. 1, 2017 for the beach site at North Shore Beach," health officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Health officials said that the advisory was issued after two consecutive water samples at the North Shore location exceeded the Federal and State recommended standard for enterococci, which is greater than 70 colony forming units of enterococci per 100ml in a single sample.

"Samples of beach water collected at North Shore Beach (73rd Street and Collins Avenue) did not meet the recreational water quality standard for enterococci," according to health officials. "By state regulation,the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is required to issue an advisory to inform the public in a specific area when this standard is not met."

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been sampling marine beach water quality at 17 sites weekly since August 2002, through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and the proximity to pollution sources.
Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals. Exposure may cause human disease, infections, or illness. The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, wildlife, pets and human sewage, health officials said.

For more information, visit the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website and Select "Beach Water Quality" from environmental health topics.

Photo courtesy city of Miami Beach Fire Department