Sarasota issues beach water advisory for Ringling Causeway
There are 16 sampling sites in Sarasota County. Advisoris are in effect for Site 2 at the Ringling Causeway. CREDIT: Florida Department of Health
The Sarasota County Health Department monitors water quality weekly at 16 sites along Sarasota’s 34 miles of beaches. The program provides residents and visitors with accurate, up-to-date information on the water quality at local beaches. The following bacteria monitoring results have been issued for Ringling Causeway:
• Current advisories: Water quality at the Ringling Causeway does not meet current health standards for recreational waters. This advisory is due to an elevated level of bacteria, not the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
• The Sarasota County Health Department has detected elevated levels of bacteria at the Ringling Causeway. The geometric mean has become elevated for enterococcus. Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.
Precautionary signs have been posted, advising people not to swim or engage in water sports. The Health Department will conduct follow-up water sampling. Test results will be available by the end of the week. No other beach areas in Sarasota County are affected by this advisory.
Residents and visitors can visit www.OurGulfEnvironment.net and click on ‘water monitoring’ and click again on ‘bacterial testing’ to check beach water testing results of area gulf beaches. Or call the Sarasota County Health Department’s Environmental Health office at 941-861-6133.
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