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DOH-COLLIER ISSUES ADVISORY FOR SOME AREA BEACHES

By Arielle Myers

October 10, 2018

Florida Department of Health in Collier County Logo

Naples, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) has posted HEALTH ADVISORIES for Wiggins Pass, Naples Pier, Residents Beach, South Marco Beach, Park Shore, Barefoot Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, and Seagate Beach after recent sampling showed bacteria levels in the water to be greater than 71 colonies per 100 milliliters of marine water, putting these beaches in the poor range.

Causes of the elevated level that prompted the advisory are unknown, but are generally associated with wildlife, heavy recreational usage, runoff following heavy rains, and high surf from high winds and high tides.  DOH-Collier always encourages rinsing with fresh water after swimming in any natural body of water, and avoid swallowing any water while swimming.  NOTE:  Resampling date is dependent on weather/surf conditions due to Hurricane Michael.

DOH-Collier staff sample 12 points from Marco Island to Barefoot Beach and test for Enterococci bacteria, as recommended by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA.  Samples are laboratory tested for concentrations and a value assigned to indicate poor, moderate, or good ranges.

Date

Name

City

Result

Status

10/10/18

Wiggins Pass

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Vanderbilt Beach

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Park Shore

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Doctor's Pass

Naples

Good

Satisfactory

10/10/18

Lowdermilk Park

Naples

Good

Satisfactory

10/10/18

Naples Pier

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Hideaway Beach

Marco Island

Good

Satisfactory

10/10/18

Tigertail Beach

Marco Island

Good

Satisfactory

10/10/18

Residents Beach

Marco Island

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

South Marco Beach

Marco Island

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Barefoot Beach

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

10/10/18

Seagate

Naples

Poor

Advisory Posted; Resample TBD

United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended criteria for enterococci is:

Good = 0-35 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

Moderate = 36-70 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water

Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water 

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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