Health advisory lifted at Fort De Soto

The health advisory at Fort De Soto Beach has been lifted after water quality results taken Monday by the Department of Health (DOH) in Pinellas County did not show the presence of bacteria.

DOH Pinellas issued an advisory for the waters at Fort De Soto’s North Beach last week based on the marine water bacterial indicator recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DOH-Pinellas conducts saltwater beach testing through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci), which may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

Recent heavy rains likely contributed to the conditions .The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, pets, wildlife and sewage. The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine whether Florida has significant beach water quality problems. Learn more »

More information about the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is available online: