A health advisory was lifted at five Pinellas County beaches days after they were reported to have elevated levels of enteric bacteria. <\/p>\n
Honeymoon Island, Sand Key Park, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach's Archibald Park and Redington Shores are again safe for swimmers, the Pinellas County Health Department said Friday. <\/p>\n
After resampling the locations, the department received lab results with \"moderate\" or \"good\" readings,\" Maggie Hall, a spokeswoman for the department, said in a news release. <\/p>\n
The advisory was based on the bacterial indicator recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA standard for the bacteria is no more than 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water. <\/p>\n
On Monday, the beaches had been given grades of \"poor,\" meaning 105 units or greater were found, according to the monitoring program's website. <\/p>\n
The next routine sampling will be conducted July 30. <\/p>\n
Testing is done through the state's Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. <\/p>\n
The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and sewage, the health department said. The bacteria may cause disease, infections or rashes. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read more here: <\/p>\n
Five Pinellas beaches safe again with lifting of advisory<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A health advisory was lifted at five Pinellas County beaches days after they were reported to have elevated levels of enteric bacteria. Honeymoon Island, Sand Key Park, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach's Archibald Park and Redington Shores are again safe for swimmers, the Pinellas County Health Department said Friday. After resampling the locations, the department received lab results with \"moderate\" or \"good\" readings,\" Maggie Hall, a spokeswoman for the department, said in a news release Continue reading