Florida DOH-Citrus issues 'No Swim Advisory' for Ft. Island Beach in Crystal River, FL
Photo of Fort Island Gulf Beach from Citrrus County, Florida website.
Lecanto, Florida - On September 15, 2022, the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus), Florida issued a 'No Swim Advisory' for the waters at Fort Island Gulf Beach in Crystal River, Florida. This should be considered a potential health risk to public bathing, and swimming is not recommended.
DOH-Citrus has been conducting saltwater beach water quality monitoring at Fort Island Beach, once weekly, through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may indicate increased risk of human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.
If you have questions regarding this advisory, please contact DOH-Citrus by phone at 352-513-6100, or visit the Department of Health’s Beach Water Quality website here: www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html.
For more information about DOH-Citrus, visit www.citrus.floridahealth.gov or Twitter.com/FLHealthCitrus.