A “No Swim” advisory for Lido Casino Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive, Lido Key, was lifted this afternoon, Aug. 22. It had been in place since Thursday, Aug. 16.
Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from samples taken Tuesday, Aug. 21, that were at a satisfactory level, meeting both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state recreational water standards, a county news release says. Therefore, residents and visitors may feel comfortable returning to the water and eating shellfish caught in the water off that beach.
It was the second time in two weeks that a “No Swim” advisory had been posted at that beach. Health officials said last week they felt the situation was linked to the abundance of red drift algae and sargassum seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s Southwest Coast. That organic matter has been linked to Tropical Storm Debby.
The Sarasota County Health Department monitors water quality weekly at 16 sites along Sarasota’s 34 miles of beaches. The intent of this program is to provide county residents and visitors with accurate, up-to-date information on the water quality at our beaches.
Click here for beach water testing results.
When making beach day plans, be sure to check the latest reports on beach conditions, the county news release advises.
For more information:
• Visit www.OurGulfEnvironment.net and click on water monitoring and then bacterial testing to check beach water testing results of area Gulf beaches
• Call 941-BEACHES (941-232-2437).
• Visit Sarasota County also provides extensive information about Sarasota, including its beaches. The website is www.visitsarasota.org.