Beachgoers shouldn't swim at Fort Island
Once again, tests have shown elevated levels of harmful bacteria.
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Published March 19, 2005
CRYSTAL RIVER - For the second time in eight days, the Citrus County Health Department on Friday urged people not to swim or wade at Fort Island Gulf Beach, where tests this week showed elevated levels of harmful bacteria.
The fecal coliform bacteria and enterococci, both known as enteric bacteria, normally inhabit the intestinal tracts of humans and animals and are released into the water through feces. The contamination often occurs after periods of rain.
High levels can expose swimmers to gastrointestinal illnesses, infections or rashes. Those particularly susceptible are the very young, the very old, and those with compromised immune systems.
The test on Wednesday that prompted the latest advisory showed that there were 600 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of fecal coliform bacteria. The test for enterococci showed 320 colony forming units, said David Conrad, the Health Department's environmental supervisor.
The "good" level for fecal coliform bacteria is between 0 and 199; it is between 0 and 34 for enterococci, Conrad said.
The previous week, the department tested the waters at the beach and found the fecal coliform bacteria at 180, within the range but a figure that merits a swim warning, according to the Health Department. The enterococci was at 124 at the time, Conrad said.
Conrad said the high readings are unusual for Citrus County. In the five or so years that the county has been testing the water quality, the Health Department has rarely had to issue an advisory.
"It's very odd that we get these," he said. The first of the elevated readings came last September, Health Department officials said at the time.
Officials said they will test the waters at the beach on Monday, with results arriving on Wednesday. The beach, meanwhile, could get a facelift. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will work with Citrus County to replenish Fort Island Gulf Beach after the remnants of two hurricanes pushed sand out to sea last year, county records say.
The state agency told Citrus officials it has money to help local governments with the repair of Big Bend beaches affected by the storms. Fort Island Beach Park was determined to be eligible after an inspection this month.
The beach will need about 1,855 cubic yards of sand on the center of the beach, the DEP said, which will be placed in a 500-by-50-foot area.
Citrus is not required to put up any money for the project, but the county will have to pay for it before being reimbursed 100 percent unless the State Comptroller's Office agrees to prepayment.
Times staff writer Justin George contributed to this report. Raghuram Vadarevu can be reached at rvadarevu@sptimes.com or 564-3627.