Bacterial levels in the water have been affected by runoff from recent heavy rains, according to the city’s public works officials.

ST. PETERSBURG – After the weekly sampling of the waters around the city of St. Petersburg, North Shore Beach has been found to have near-shore waters exceeding the enterococci parameters of the Florida Healthy Beaches Program.

Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

Florida Healthy Beaches Program categories are –
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.

The waters near shore along North Shore Beach showed approximately 120 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water. No other testing sites showed elevated levels and other city beaches remain open.

In an effort to better inform and educate citizens of St. Petersburg about their valuable water resources, Public Works officials said they have expanded the regularly scheduled testing of area recreational waterways. Waters have been impacted by the runoff from recent rains. It is recommended that there be no swimming until further testing shows a drop in the bacterial levels. We will follow-up with a release indicating when the waters are safe for swimming.

Further information about the testing and potential dangers from increased Enterococci levels can be found at stpete.org.

St. Petersburg | North Shore Beach | Rain Runoff | Beach Closed | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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