High amounts of bacteria from POOP cause "No Swim Advisory" at these Florida beaches

Image used for illustrative purposes

Some beaches along the Gulf coast have issued a no-swimming advisory following a bacterial contamination report. According to information shared on the City of Sarasota's Instagram account, the amount of enterococcus bacteria, a bacteria found in the waste of animals and humans, found during water quality testing on Monday, July 25 was outside acceptable limits. This has lead the county to issue "no swim advisories" at the following beaches:

• Bird Key Park/ Ringling Causeway
• Siesta Key Beach
• Service Club Beach
• Venice Fishing Pier
• Brohard Beach
• Casperson Beach
• Manasota Key

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Though the source of the contamination hasn't been pinpointed, there is speculation that a wrack line and increased rainfall could be contributing factors. 

"Wrack lines, which provide food for shorebirds and wildlife, act as natural bacteria reservoirs. Additionally, significant rainfall amounts may be contributing to the higher bacteria levels by washing accumulated pollutants from the land surface into waterways. 
[...]
Enterococcus bacteria can come from a variety of natural and human-made sources. These include pet waste, livestock, birds, land-dwelling and marine wildlife, stormwater runoff, and human sewage from failed septic systems and sewage spills. 

No sewage spills have been reported within one mile of the posted beaches in the past two weeks," the city's press release states in part. 

Though the beaches remain open, wading, swimming and any other water related activities are ill-advised.

The official press release can be found here. 

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