The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has issued an advisory to inform the public that two consecutive beach water samples collected at 53 Street did not meet the recreational water quality standard.
This advisory recommends not swimming at this location at this time. The result of the sampling indicates that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for susceptible individuals.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has been conducting marine beach water quality monitoring at 16 sites, including the beach sites at these locations weekly since August 2002, through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and the proximity to pollution sources. The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals, and which may cause human disease, infections, or illness. The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, wildlife, pets and human sewage. The purpose of the Florida Healthy Beaches program is to determine whether Florida has significant beach water quality concerns.
City staff is working with all governmental regulatory agencies to ensure appropriate measures are being taken to restore the waterway to safe levels.
