Miami-Dade County swimming advisory reduced

Miami-Dade County scaled back a swimming ban Friday at Oleta River State Park triggered after 3.5 million gallons of treated sewage washed out of a nearby treatment plant last weekend.

County officials said the park’s beach area, as well as Biscayne Bay from Haulover Inlet, would reopen. Swimmers, however, should avoid Maul Lake, Oleta River proper, the Intracoastal Waterway south to the Haulover Marina and north to Dumbfoundling Bay. Anglers and boaters should also avoid the area, a statement said.

Warnings to stay away from the area were issued after heavy rainfall on Feb. 28 near the North District Wastewater Treatment Plant overwhelmed pumps, spilling the partially treated sewage.

The Florida Department of Health and the county’s Division of Environmental Resources Management are testing the water to determine when to lift the ban.

This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 8:17 PM with the headline "Miami-Dade County swimming advisory reduced."