No Swim Advisories Issues For 3 Pasco County Beaches

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a water quality advisory for Robert J. Strickland Beach, Gulf Harbors Beach and Anclote River Park Beach as a result of a water sampling done on Aug. 17.

This advisory is based on criteria for evaluating the presence of enterococci (intestinal bacteria).

There are no advisories in effect at this time for Brasher Park Beach or Robert K. Rees Park 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. The purpose of this program is to determine whether Florida has significant coastal beach water quality problems.

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 sampling date is Aug. 24.