Health advisories were lifted Wednesday for three Hillsborough County beaches and issued for one based on criteria for bacteria levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. <\/p>\n
Based on sampling done this week, a health advisory issued on Feb. 18 was lifted for Cypress Point Beach, Bahia Beach and Picnic Island Beach. <\/p>\n
I new advisory was issued for Davis Island because samples were above thresholds for enterococci bacteria. Another sample will be taken on March 2. <\/p>\n
The beach should be considered unsafe for swimming, according to the Hillsborough County Health Department. <\/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
For more information, visit http:\/\/www.floridahealth.gov\/environmental-health\/beach-water-quality\/index.html<\/a>. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n See the article here:<\/p>\n Health advisories lifted for 3 Hillsborough Beaches, issued for 1<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Health advisories were lifted Wednesday for three Hillsborough County beaches and issued for one based on criteria for bacteria levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Continue reading