‘No Swim’ Advisory Issued At North Lido Beach: DOH

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County has issued a “No Swim” advisory at North Lido Beach because of high levels of enterococcus bacteria found during water quality testing.

The beach remains open, but wading, swimming and water recreation is not recommended while the advisory is in place, the DOH said in a news release.

The advisory will remain in place until follow-up water testing results meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standard. The next round of test results will be available Friday.

Enterococcus bacteria can come from a variety of natural and human-made sources, the DOH said. These include pet waste, livestock, birds, wildlife (land-dwelling and marine), stormwater runoff, and human sewage from failed septic systems and sewage spills.

Since no sewage spills have been reported within one mile of the posted beach in the past two weeks, the rapid response team from Sarasota County has determined the cause of the elevated bacteria levels is likely due to natural sources.

Researchers saw a wrack line of decaying algae and many dead and decaying fish associated with red tide impacting the area among the rocks and along the shoreline, the DOH said. Wrack lines, which provide food for shorebirds and wildlife, act as natural bacteria reservoirs. Recent rainfall in the area washing accumulated pollutants, including bacteria from birds, pet feces and wildlife, into local waters may also be a contributing factor.

“When these bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people may become ill,” DOH-Sarasota Environmental Administrator Tom Higginbotham said. “People, especially those who are very young, elderly, who have a weak immune system or who swallow water while swimming, can get stomach or intestinal illnesses. If water comes into contact with a cut or sore, people can get infections or rashes.”

In addition to not swimming or wading in the water, visitors and residents also shouldn’t eat shellfish, such as crabs and shrimp, collected in the immediate area of any beach with a “No Swim” advisory in place, the DOH said. Finfish caught live and healthy can be eaten if filleted.