North Shore Beach Closed Due To Recent Rain Runoff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - North Shore Beach is closed to swimmers today after a weekly sampling of the waters around St. Petersburg found that area to have Enterococci parameters exceeding standards set by the Florida Healthy Beaches Program, according to city officials.

Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, however, the presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife. If present in high concentrations in recreational waters, ingested while swimming or entering the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes, the city said.

The waters, affected by runoff from recent rains, near the shore along North Shore Beach showed approximately 120 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water -- a "poor" rating based on standards, the city said.

"It is recommended that there be no swimming until further testing shows a drop in the bacterial levels," the public Works Department announced. "We will follow-up with a release indicating when the waters are safe for swimming."

Florida Healthy Beaches Program Categories are:

• Good = 0-35 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
• Moderate = 36-70 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
• Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

No other testing sites showed elevated levels and other city beaches remain open. In an effort to better inform citizens of St. Petersburg about their water resources, Public Works officials have expanded the regularly scheduled testing of area recreational waterways.

Further information about the testing and potential dangers from increased Enterococci levels can be found at www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php

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