FLORIDA KEYS

Beaches pass water quality tests

Water-quality testing performed by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County indicates that all of the beach samplings during the latest biweekly test period were in the acceptable ranges, officials reported this week.

The health department samples 11 beaches in Monroe County, including four in Key West -- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Higgs Beach, Smathers Beach and South Beach. All the beaches were rated "good," meaning they registered less than 36 enterococcus per 100 milliliters of marine water.

Enterococci bacteria, which normally inhabit intestinal tracts of humans and animals, are an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.

For information, call 305-293-1653.

You can also visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/, click on the Environmental Health tab, choose Beach Water Quality and then click on Monroe County.

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Beaches pass water quality tests