DOH-Pinellas conducts saltwater beach testing through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci), that normally inhabit the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, and which may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water run-off, pets, wildlife and sewage. The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine whether Florida has significant beach water quality problems.

This is the water testing result from tests conducted on June 12:

ENTEROCOCCI ENTEROCOCCI CFU per

100 ml* Water Quality* 4U Good

Water quality classifications are based upon the EPA's recommended standard for enterococci of no more than 70 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of marine water.

For more information about the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program, go to https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/county-detail.html

For information about DOH-Pinellas, go to https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/index.html or follow us on Twitter @HealthyPinellas.

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 Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.