No swim advisory lifted entirely for the Virginia Key and Marine Stadium Marina area
UPDATE: On Sept. 22, Miami-Dade County announced a no swimming advisory had been lifted in its entirety for Virginia Key area.
“Based on sampling results from the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, the remaining location still under a No-Swim Advisory issued on Tuesday, September 19 has now been lifted,” the county said in a news release.
ORIGINAL:
Water quality samples are compliant, and signs will be removed for the Marine Stadium Marina area.
Miami city officials advised people Friday to avoid swimming near Marine Stadium Marina on Virginia Key.
In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, the city advised people to also avoid boating and fishing in the area.
According to the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department, the advisory issued Friday was the remnant of one that went out Tuesday that covered a larger area surrounding Virginia Key. That advisory was issued because of an overflow at the county’s centralized wastewater treatment plant on Virginia Key that never reached the surrounding waters, said department spokeswoman Jennifer Messemer-Skold.
County and Florida Health Department officials took samples from the water out of precaution, and all of them were in compliance with acceptable standards except for the immediate area near the marina, Messemer-Skold said.
By Thursday, samples from the water at the marina came back negative for wastewater, and officials anticipate similar results from samples taken Friday. That means the advisory will likely be lifted by Saturday morning, Messemer-Skold said.
HEALTH RISKS OF BEING IN OR ON THE WATER
Medical conditions: The presence of sewage in the water could mean the presence of enterococci bacteria. That can make you sick if you come in contact with the water. People with an increased risk of illness like those who have a weakened immune system are especially vulnerable. Same goes if you have open or healing wounds, a history of urinary tract infections or recently had a root canal, cancer treatment or dialysis.
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 1:52 PM.
