No-Swim Advisories Lifted At 3 Sarasota County Beaches: FDOH

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — No-swim advisories were lifted Saturday at three Sarasota County beaches after high levels of enterococci bacteria were found in the water Aug. 11, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County.

Residents and visitors may return to swimming and other water activities at the following beaches:

• Siesta Key Beach
• North Lido Beach
• Lido Casino

Saturday’s testing results were at a satisfactory level for the bacteria meeting both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state recreational water standards, FDOH said.

FDOH monitors water quality weekly at 16 sites along Sarasota's 34 miles of beaches, the agency said. The results can be found here.

Enterococci bacteria lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, according to the EPA. Sources of this bacteria in bodies of water include wastewater treatment plant effluent, leaking septic systems, stormwater runoff, sewage from recreation boats, pets and wildlife waste, improper handling or runoff from manure storage areas.

No sewage spills have been reported within one mile of the posted beaches in the past two weeks, the FDOH said in a previous news release.

The rapid response team from Sarasota County said cause of the elevated bacteria levels is likely due to natural sources. The team observed a wrack line of decaying algae around the rocks and along the shoreline, the agency said.

Wrack lines, which provide food for shorebirds and wildlife, act as natural bacteria reservoirs. The recent significant rainfalls may also contribute to the higher bacterial levels.