No water-related activities should be pursued there until the levels decrease to acceptable standard, Health Department says
About 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) issued a water quality advisory for North Lido Beach.
The department warned members of the public that testing on Monday, Aug. 10, showed levels of Enterococcus bacteria higher than recommended by the state Department of Health for any water-related activities at North Lido because of an increased risk of illness in swimmers.
The state Health Department explains on its website, “Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and ingested or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause disease, infections, or rashes.”
“This advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level,” the DOH-Sarasota alert pointed out.
Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/Healthy Beaches.
For more information, call 941-861-2900 or visit Sarasota.FloridaHealth.gov.