HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Health officials are warning people to skip the swim at Bahia Beach after recent testing revealed unsafe levels of bacteria in the water.
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County issued a water quality advisory on Thursday following tests completed on Wednesday, June 3. According to state health officials, the water samples at the Ruskin beach failed to meet the recommended recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria.
Because the bacterial counts exceeded state guidelines, health officials are advising the public to avoid swimming or other water-related activities at the site for the time being. Coming into contact with the contaminated water carries an increased risk of illness.
The advisory affects Bahia Beach, located at 2513 W Shell Point Road. Officials noted that the issue was caught during regular water quality monitoring.
The warning will stay in place until subsequent testing shows that the bacteria levels have dropped back down to safe, acceptable health standards. Members of the public can track the latest test results online at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.
For further details, the health department can be reached at 813-559-4065 or through their website at Hillsborough.FloridaHealth.gov.
READ: Hillsborough County Traffic Alert: Your Guide To Lane Closures For June 7-13
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