Excessive Level Of Fecal Bacteria Found At Anclote River Park

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a water quality advisory for Anclote River Park Beach as a result of a water sampling done Aug. 26.

This advisory is based upon criteria for evaluating the presence of enterococci (intestinal bacteria) as established by the Environmental Protection Agency. There are no advisories in effect at this time for Robert J. Strickland Beach, Brasher Park Beach, Robert K. Rees Park Beach and Gulf Harbors Beach.

The Department of Health's Florida Healthy Beaches Program monitors coastal beach water by testing marine water samples every two weeks from March through October in Pasco County.

DOH-Pasco analyzes coastal beach water samples for enterococci, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. This type of bacteria is considered a potential risk because it may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The presence of enterococci is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage.

The next expected sampling date is Sept. 3.