The Miami-Dade County Health Department lifted swimming advisories for two of three South Florida beaches where fecal bacteria had been found in the water.
The advisories were lifted Thursday at Crandon Park South and North Shore Park. Swimming is not recommended at Sunny Isles Park until further test results are confirmed, according to the health department.
Officials say two consecutive samples at each beach did not meet the criteria for enterococci as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Enterococci are bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals. Its source may be storm water run-off, wildlife, and pets and human sewage. Contact with the water may pose an increased risk of illness, especially for susceptible individuals, according to the health department.
All other beach water samples in Miami-Dade County were satisfactory.
The health department collects beach water samples weekly through the Florida Healthy Beaches and Public Notification Program at 15 different sites. The program determines whether Florida beaches have significant water quality concerns.
