High bacterial levels shut down southside Palma Sola Bay
The Florida Department of Health Manatee County has issued a no-swim advisory for the southside Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton.
The advisory was issued Monday morning for the south-side of the bay, along State Road 64, after receiving test results from water samples taken July 18 showed elevated levels of enterococci bacteria.
The advisory will remain until bacteria levels drop to meet EPA safety guidelines. No other beaches in Manatee County are under advisory.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, enterococci bacteria is commonly found in the lower urogenital tract of foals, or baby horses. The bacteria can cause disease, infections or rashes in people.
Water samples are regularly taken at beaches around the county as part of the Florida Healthy Beaches Program.
The south-side of Palma Sola Bay is often shutdown for swimming because of high bacteria levels.
This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
