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Tests reveal beach risks

A health advisory is issued after high levels of potentially harmful bacteria are found at Fort Island Gulf Beach.

By SHAWNTAYE HOPKINS
Published June 4, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - The Citrus County Health Department on Friday issued a health warning advisory for Fort Island Gulf Beach because the water contains high levels of a bacteria that could increase the chance of acquiring an infectious disease.

The warning issued by the department's Environmental Health division was based on standards set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The warning was issued after the water was tested Wednesday. A good rating is 0 to 35 enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters. A poor rating is 105 or more enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters.

Fort Island's rating was 320.

High concentrations of the bacteria may indicate the presence of microorganisms that could cause disease, infections or rashes.

The coastal beach water will be tested again Monday, said Will Bryant, a supervisor at the department. The results should be available by Friday.

Bryant said anyone who uses the beach does so "at their own risk."

"The advice is not to use the water, especially if you are susceptible to infection," he said.

The beach is commonly used for swimming, boating and fishing.

There have been at least two other warnings not to use the water at Fort Island Gulf Beach this year, Bryant said.

The department tests the water weekly or more often if necessary as part of the Florida Healthy Beaches program that started as a pilot program in 1998. The water receives a good, moderate or poor rating.

It usually takes one to two days for Health Department officials to process tested water. The results then go through a short confirmation period, Bryant said.

It is not uncommon for lakes, rivers and oceans to become contaminated with bacteria from sewage, animal waste and water runoff after a rainfall.

[Last modified June 4, 2005, 06:14:28]