Is it safe to swim at Miami Beach spot? Bacteria tests completed, health officials say
A swimming advisory has been lifted for 73rd Street in Miami Beach after a series of water tests gave the all-clear, health officials said.
The advisory was issued for North Shore Ocean Terrace on Oct. 19 and lifted on Tuesday afternoon “based on satisfactory microbial water quality test results.” The stretch of beach is just east of the Miami Beach Bandshell.
Water samples from the 73rd Street beach had exceeded the standard for enterococci, the scientifc term for poop bacteria. Health officials ordered the no-swimming advisory last week because the bacteria could make people sick, especially those who have a weakened immune system or open wounds.
The advisory was issued after two consecutive beach water samples at 73rd Street indicated the water samples exceeded state and federal samples for enterococci. The enterococci bacteria is usually around when there is human or animal feces in an area.
Last month, the bacteria also was found on the other end of the city, at the 21st Street beach at Collins Park.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been conducting beach water quality monitoring at 16 sites since since August 2002 through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program.
“The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, wildlife, pets and human sewage,” according to the health department.
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 5:06 AM.
