Health advisories were issued Tuesday for beaches at Ben T. Davis and Picnic Island based on criteria for bacteria recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. <\/p>\n
Samples taken Monday were above thresholds for enterococci bacteria, the Hillsborough County Health Department said. <\/p>\n
The beaches should be considered unsafe for swimming, the department said. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a similar health advisory for the beach at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin was lifted Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Tests showed enterococci bacteria in the water at the beach has returned to acceptable levels, according to a release from the health department. <\/p>\n
The advisory was put in place on Feb. 13. <\/p>\n
The health department has been conducting coastal quality monitoring at nine sites once every two weeks since August 2000 and weekly since August 2002 through the states Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. <\/p>\n
Enterococci bacteria is typically found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals and may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. It is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage, the department said. <\/p>\n
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Health advisories issued for 2 Hillsborough beaches, lifted for one<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Health advisories were issued Tuesday for beaches at Ben T. Davis and Picnic Island based on criteria for bacteria recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Samples taken Monday were above thresholds for enterococci bacteria, the Hillsborough County Health Department said. Continue reading