The Florida Department of Health office in St. Lucie County advises against any water-related activities at a popular Fort Pierce swimming spot because of an increased risk of illness from fecal bacteria.
The Fort Pierce Inlet State Park recreational water quality on the inlet beach side is “poor,” according to test results on water samples taken May 11 and May 13. Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.
The health department advises “against any water-related activities at this location due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers,” according to a news release.
The advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health levels.
Enterococci bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. A high concentration usually means there is evidence of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife or human sewage.
The bacteria, in high concentrations in recreational waters, can enter the skin through a cut or sore or be ingested inadvertently. The bacteria may cause disease, infections or rashes.
Test results are available at the DOH-St. Lucie website.
The Healthy Beaches Program monitors coastal water quality for Florida’s 31 coastal counties. Florida’s river sites are measured every week and beaches every other week.
The health department uses this tiered list to determine how the bacteria impact water quality; however, its website nor news release say how much bacteria it found:
Good: 0-35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Moderate: 36-70 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Poor: 71 or greater enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
For more information, call 772-462-3800 or visit StLucie.FloridaHealth.gov.
Tim O’Hara is TCPalm’s environment reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida DOH issues water advisory for Fort Pierce Inlet State Park