'No-swim' advisories issued for some Sarasota County beaches
SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Sarasota County has some of the most popular beaches in the country, but this weekend, you may want to stay away from a couple of them.
A no-swim advisory has been issued for Turtle Beach, Venice Beach, Venice Fishing Pier Beach, and Manasota Key Beach after the Florida Department of Health found high levels of bacteria during water testing.
Enterococcus bacteria can come from a slew of natural and human-made sources, including pet waste, livestock, birds, wildlife, stormwater runoff and human sewage from failed septic systems and sewage spills.
No sewage spills have been reported within one mile of the beaches and teams have determined the cause of the elevated levels is likely due to natural sources.
The beaches remain open but wading, swimming and water recreation are not recommended as long as the advisory is in place. Signage advising the public not to swim or engage in water recreation will stay in place until water testing improves.
The department expects to have the next round of test results available on Friday, in time for the holiday weekend.
In addition, people are advised not to eat shellfish such as crabs and shrimp collected in the immediate area of any beach with a no-swim advisory in place, officials said.
To help keep beach water safe do not allow pets to roam on beaches and in park areas and make sure to pick up pet waste.