Swim advisory lifted at Surfside beach after previously high poop levels retested

A Miami-Dade beach reopened its waters almost a week after the Florida Department of Health issued a no-swimming advisory due to high poop levels.

On Tuesday, the health department lifted the advisory for the 93rd Street Beach in Surfside after its water quality tested satisfactory. Last Wednesday, June 24, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade issued the no-swimming advisory.

South Florida beaches just had reopened in June after being closed since March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the health department’s notice on closing the beach, the sample “did not meet the recreational water quality standard for enterococci.” Enterococci, or fecal matter, inhabits the intestinal track of humans and animals.

“The result of the sampling indicates that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals,” the department said in a news release.

The department has been monitoring 16 sites in Miami-Dade weekly since 2002 as part of the Florida Healthy Beaches Program.

While it’s not clear what caused the high level of bacteria, it could come from storm-water runoff, wildlife, pets and human sewage., the department said.

South Florida has seen its share of advisories at beaches because of high poop levels. In January, swimmers were told to avoid the water at the Dog Beach on Rickenbacker Causeway.

This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 4:17 AM.