Bacteria levels above threshold for recreational uses, county Health Department says
Late in the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 25 the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) issued a water quality advisory for Brohard Beach and Paw Park, which is located at 1850 Harbor Drive S. in Venice.
Tests completed on Monday, Sept. 23, “indicate that the water quality at Brohard Beach and Paw Park does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health,” thee advisory explained.
“DOH-Sarasota advises against any water-related activities at this location due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers,” the advisory pointed out. “Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines,” it added.
The Sept. 16 beach water quality report on the DOH-Sarasota website classified conditions at Brohard Park as “Poor,” The Sarasota News Leader found, but no advisory was issued last week. The chart explained that “Poor” meant that the enterococcus bacteria level was 70.5 or greater per 100 milliliters.
A chart that the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper provided about water conditions on Aug. 7, after Tropical Storm Debby had passed by the county, noted that the “Safe to Swim” level for enterococcus bacteria is 0 to 35 colony forming units (cfus) per 100 milliliters. Between 36 and 70 cfus, the chart said, meant the public should “Take Caution.”
Environmental Administrator Tom Higginbotham of DOH-Sarasota has explained, “When [enterococcus] bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters … 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 Sept. 16 report for Brohard Park was the latest shown on the DOH-Sarasota website. However, because of the warnings about Hurricane Helene’s approach to Florida via the Gulf of Mexico, many local government operations were closed on Sept. 25.
Brohard Park is located between Maxine Barritt Park and South Brohard Park, its county webpage notes.
The Sept. 25 advisory “will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level,” the DOH-Sarasota alert said. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.
For more information call 941-861-2900 or visit sarasota.floridahealth.gov, the advisory added.