Florida Department of Health MessageOctober 19, 2017�//�,
HEALTHMh„
DOH-Miami-Da tle Issues a Swimming Advisory For Collins Park Beach
cw,m,
1218 Street in Miami Beachl
Contact:
Communications Office
786-336-1276
Miami, Fla. - Samples of beach water collected at Collins Park Beach (21 s Street in Miami
Beach) did not meetthe recreational water quality standard forenterococci. By state regulation,
the Florida Department of Health in Miami -Dade County is required to issue an adviscryto inform
the public in a specific area when this standard is not met. An advisory has been issued because
two consecutive samples collected at this beach exceeded the Federal and State
recommended standard for enterococci (greater than 70 colony forming units of enterococci
per 100ml for a single sample).
The advisory issued recommends not swimming at this location at this time. The results of the
sampling indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of illness, particularly for
susceptible individuals.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami -Dade County has been conducting marine beach
water quality monitoring at 17 sites, including the beach site at Collins Park Beach (21g Street
in Miami Beach) weekly since August 2002, through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The
sampling sites are selected based on the frequency and intensity of recreational water use and
the proximity to pollution sources. The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria
enterococci that normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals, and which may cause
human disease, infections, or illness. The prevalence of enteric bacteria is an indicator of fecal
pollution, which may come from storm water rum -off, wildlife, pets and human sewage. The
purpose of the Florida Healthy Beaches program is to determine whether Florida has significant
beach water quality concerns.
For more information, please visit the Florida Healthy Beaches Program Website:
htm,Hwww.8health.¢ov and Select "Beach Water Quality", from the Environmental Health Topics
List.
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.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at (dlHealthvFla. For more information about the
Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.