Sewage continues to pollute Bradenton-area waters after hurricane. Is it safe to swim?

A steady stream of sewage spills continues to plague Bradenton-area waters in the weeks since Hurricane Debby overwhelmed local wastewater systems.

The storm’s record-breaking rainfall resulted in millions of gallons of contaminated water escaping into the environment. In Bradenton, city officials reported bypassing roughly 25 million gallons of water containing raw sewage from the wastewater plant into the Manatee River.

Heavy summer rains in recent weeks have continued to strain local wastewater infrastructure, and Bradenton’s discharge into the Manatee River is ongoing. As of Wednesday, the city of Bradenton has released another 39 million gallons of wastewater into the Manatee River, records say.

In the last week, Manatee County reported wastewater spills totaling over 50,000 gallons. Palmetto’s wastewater plant filed 20 pollution notices with state regulators, but spill amounts were not disclosed.

The spills have left many residents and visitors wondering if it is safe to swim at the beach and in other local waters.

Here’s what health officials and water quality experts had to say about the safety of swimming after tropical storms and sewage spills.

Are beaches safe for swimming?

The Florida Department of Health regularly tests water at Gulf of Mexico beaches for bacteria that indicate the presence of fecal matter. Results are posted on the Florida Healthy Beaches website.

“When samples exceed federal guidelines for safe swimming, we notify the public and issue a water quality health advisory,” a health department spokesperson said in an email.

Since Hurricane Debby, the results have shown that bacteria levels were mostly at low levels at beaches up and down Anna Maria Island. However, higher bacteria levels have been detected this week at several beaches.

Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach had “moderate” levels of bacteria in samples collected on Sept. 3. Bayfront Park North in Anna Maria had “poor” water quality, but a no-swim advisory has not yet been issued, according to FDOH.

No-swim warnings are typically issued after two tests in a row indicating poor water quality at a beach.

Waterkeepers issue ‘no swim’ warnings

The state health department’s testing for fecal bacteria does not include the Manatee River and other areas used for swimming on the bay side of the barrier islands.

Nonprofit water quality advocacy group Suncoast Waterkeeper fills the gap by testing waters not sampled by the state. The results are shared weekly on the group’s website and Facebook page.

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s tests have found elevated bacteria levels in the Manatee River since Hurricane Debby prompted Bradenton’s ongoing release of wastewater. As a result, the group has issued a no-swim advisory for the Manatee River until further notice.

Following Suncoast’s advisory, De Soto National Memorial staff have posted no swim warning signs at the park’s beaches.

“We know from the past that after heavy rain events, the bay water quality is going to go down,” Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna said. “We’re continuing to get heavy rain, and that makes the recovery process from Debby even more challenging.

“We’re seeing high levels of fecal indicator bacteria around most of our sample sites,” Tyrna said. “Until Bradenton’s bypass stops, people should change their behavior in the river.”

Based on recent test results, Suncoast has also advised against swimming at several locations on the bay side of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Sarasota County.

Use data and common sense, water experts say

When deciding whether or not to swim, Tyrna encouraged residents to refer to the latest water quality data to make informed decisions.

“The Department of Health tests the beaches and we test the bay,” Tyrna said. “If the data is showing poor results, then you should use that to consider whether or not you should be swimming.”

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has also been monitoring local water quality since the storm. The group has seen the worst impacts in Little Sarasota Bay, where low oxygen in the water resulted in fish kills, SBEP Executive Director Dave Tomasko said.

Tomasko encouraged people to use common sense when deciding whether or not to enter the water.

“We’re telling people when the water looks and smells bad, don’t go in the water,” Tomasko said.

He added that sewage spills aren’t the only source of bacteria after a storm. Stormwater runoff can also contribute.

“When the water is warm with a whole bunch of debris, you can get some really nasty bacteria,” Tomasko said.

Tomasko said SBEP is advising people against swimming in Sarasota Bay. But Gulf side beaches that meet state health department standards are “probably OK,” Tomasko said.

“Gulf waters are cleaner than bay waters,” Tyrna said. “It takes bay waters a lot longer to recover from extreme water and regular rain events.”

Storms increase bacteria danger

Fecal bacteria is not the only potential danger after a storm.

The health department warns that Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that can enter open wounds and cause severe infections, may be more prevalent after storms and during the warmest months of the year.

People with open wounds, cuts or scratches are advised to stay out of seawater to avoid infection. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe infection, the health department says.

The infections are rare but may be underreported, the health department says.

In Manatee County, there was one non-fatal Vibrio infection recorded in 2022 and one fatal infection in 2023, according to health department data. Lee County had the highest number of cases in recent years following Hurricane Ian in 2022, when 28 infections and eight fatalities were recorded.

Health officials advise seeking medical care “if a wound develops redness, swelling or oozing, or other signs of infection” following contact with flood water, standing water seawater or brackish water.