Don’t swim in Palma Sola Bay because of high levels of bacteria, health dept. says

The Florida Department of Health is asking people to stay out of the water at Palma Sola South along State Road 64 in Bradenton.

A no-swim advisory was issued on June 26 and remains in effect due elevated levels of enterococci bacteria that exceed federal guidelines for safe swimming.

Contact with the water at the site could make beachgoers sick, the Florida Department of Health said Tuesday in a news release.

The bacteria is often associated with the presence of feces from humans or animals, but also can be naturally occurring, according to health officials.

The advisory will remain until the water meets the safety guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Palma Sola Bay has had a history of no-swim advisories, with one issued as recently as January.

DOH-Manatee received test results from samples taken at Palma Sola South on June 19 and June 22 that show an elevated level of enterococci bacteria.

DOH-Manatee collects water samples at select beaches each week as part of the Healthy Beaches Program, with samples then being sent to labs to determine the levels of enteric bacteria, which can cause human disease, infections or rashes. If the levels do not meet acceptable EPA standards, a no-swim advisory is issued and only lifted once the levels read as acceptable.

At this time, no other beaches located in Manatee County are under advisory.

Beachgoers are urged to avoid getting into the water until additional testing is completed and the no-swim advisory is lifted.

Additional information about the Healthy Beaches program can be found by calling 941 714-7593, or by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.FloridaHealth.gov and selecting Beach Water Quality under the Environmental Health tab of the navigation bar.