Enterococcus bacteria levels indicate need for public to be cautious, Health Department reports
Midafternoon on July 10, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) issued a water quality advisory for North Lido Beach, whose address formally is 50 Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key.
“Tests completed on Monday, July 7, 2025, indicate that the water quality at North Lido Beach does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health,” a news release explains.
A Sarasota News Leader review of the state beach data regarding the presence of Enterococcus bacteria indicated that follow-up testing on July 9 at North Lido necessitated the advisory.
The testing on both July 7 and July 9 found 70.5 or greater species of Enterococcus per 100 milliliters of marine water, the state webpage shows.
DOH-Sarasota advises against any water-related activities at this location because of “an increased risk of illness in swimmers,” the advisory points out.
A July 1999 article in the journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiologyexplains, “Enterococci, formerly classified with fecal streptococci, have been recognized to be of fecal origin since the beginning of this century. The usual ecological niche for Enterococcus species is the intestines of humans and other animals. However, entero- cocci are ubiquitous and can be found free-living in soil, on plants, or in dairy products.”
Tom Higginbotham of the Florida Department of Health-Sarasota (DOH-Sarasota) has explained, “When [enterococcus] bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people may become ill.” He also has noted, “People, especially those who are very young, elderly or who have a weak immune system that swallow water while swimming can get stomach or intestinal illnesses. If water contacts a cut or sore, people can get infections or rashes.”
The advisory would remain in effect until bacteria levels fell below the accepted health level, the release added.
Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches, the advisory notes.
North Lido Beach is within the city of Sarasota.
For more information, the DOH-Sarasota advisory says, call 941-861-2900 or visit Sarasota.Floridahealth.gov