Swimming advisory issued for Cocoa Beach Pier area because of fecal bacteria
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard has issued an "precautionary swimming advisory," urging the public not to swim in the Cocoa Beach Pier area because of high concentrations of fecal bacteria in the water.
"At this time, there is a potential health risk to the bathing public, and swimming is not recommended," the Department of Health said in a statement.
The department said the presence of what's known as enteric bacteria in the water "is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage," and which could lead to an "increased risk of human disease, infections or rashes."
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The Health Department was planning to do additional testing of the water near the Cocoa Beach Pier on Monday afternoon, and could adjust the advisory, depending on the test results.
The pier area is one of the more popular beach areas in Cocoa Beach, along with the areas near Alan Shepard Park and Lori Wilson Park, which are not affected by the advisory.
Brevard County Ocean Rescue Chief Eisen Witcher said his lifeguard staff will be advising visitors to the Cocoa Beach Pier area about the Department of Health notice, and will tell people that swimming is not recommended in that area.
But he added that swimming is not banned there ― just not recommended.
"It will be swim at your own risk," Witcher said.
Notices also will be placed on the message boards at nearby lifeguard towers, detailing the Department of Health advisory, Witcher said.
The bacteria is measured in what's known as "colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of marine water." A reading of more than 70 is considered "poor."
A reading taken at Cocoa Beach Pier on April 17 measured 137, and a follow-up reading taken two days later was 164, triggering the warning.
Of the 48 previous readings listed on a Department of Health database, going back to June 2020, the Cocoa Beach Pier's reading was rated "good" 40 times; "moderate" eight times; and "poor" zero times.
For the latest readings of beach water quality in Florida, click on this link.
Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on Twitter at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cocoa Beach Pier swim advisory issued for fecal bacteria in water
