Tampa’s Cypress Point and Picnic Island beaches are under a no swim advisory due to increased levels of enterococci bacteria, in other words poop water.
Enterococci bacteria is often composed of fecal matter from humans and pets and can cause disease and infection upon exposure.
The recommendation against taking a dip in either beach was initially placed on March 16. The Florida Department of Health tests the water weekly, and once the sample returns to a satisfactory range the advisory will be lifted according to the agency.
Local shorelines along the Bay have faced these issues before, and this problem has affected Cypress Point on a near reoccurring basis, as the last advisory issued is from Sept. of 2021.
For updates on the beaches listed or one’s in your county, visit the Florida Healthy Beaches Program website to view the conditions of all water samples.
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This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2022.
