Three beaches in Pasco County ―Robert J. Strickland Beach, Gulf Harbors Beach and Anclote River Park Beach―are under a “no swim advisory” after samplings discovered enterococci, an intestinal bacteria that indicates elevated fecal pollution in the water, or poop.
Currently, there are no advisories in effect for Brasher Park Beach or Robert K. Rees Park Beach.
The Department of Health's Florida Healthy Beaches Program monitors coastal beach water by testing water samples every two weeks from March through October in Pasco County, according to a press release.
Afterward, the Pasco County Department of Health analyzes coastal beach water samples for enterococci, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals.
The bacteria can cause human disease, infections or rashes. The source of the bacteria may be a stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage, according to the release.
The next expected sampling date is Aug. 24.
Recently, Pasco beaches have witnessed a string of closures due to enterococci.
Earlier this month, Robert K. Rees Park Beach was the only Pasco County beach to receive an advisory after an Aug. 10 sampling found the fecal-related bacteria. On July 22, an advisory was placed on Robert J. Strickland Beach, Brasher Park Beach, Robert K. Rees Park Beach and Gulf Harbors Beach because of the same bacteria.
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