Is It Safe to Make a Splash? Evaluating South Florida’s Waterway Cleanliness for Swimmers

Florida’s coastlines attract thousands of visitors annually, in addition to local residents who engage in swimming or surfing in the sea. Nonetheless, more frequently than the public comprehends, fecal bacteria is found at elevated levels in several swimming zones.

In just December, the health department of Palm Beach County gathered samples for routine analysis which indicated that three beaches exhibited fecal bacterial levels deemed unsafe. One such location, Dubois Park in Jupiter, recorded levels surpassing the standard guidelines fifteen times throughout routine assessments in 2024.

A fourth site, Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, exhibited bacterial levels in December so elevated that the health authorities categorized the water as of poor quality. This marked the twelfth occasion in 2024 that water samples from Phil Foster Park exceeded what is recognized as normal bacterial levels.

The health departments in the coastal counties of the state assess beaches for fecal bacteria, known as enterococci, under the Florida Healthy Beaches initiative. However, the state program evaluates the waters biweekly, examines only a limited number of sites, and depends on the discretion of local health officials regarding informing the public about bacteria levels in beach water that surpass those set by state standards.

“There is inconsistency in how the regulations are interpreted and when swimming advisories are communicated to the public,” stated Katie Bauman, Florida Policy Manager for the Surfrider Foundation. “We require consistent monitoring and notifications to inform individuals when water is not at safe levels. There should be prominent signage when water tests poorly. Some counties implement this, while others do not.”

Swimming in water with elevated fecal bacteria levels can cause health issues such as gastroenteritis (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping). It may also result in irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

When counties receive a “poor” test outcome from a water sample, they have two options: either alert the public promptly or conduct another test. If a subsequent test yields another “poor” result, local health departments are required to inform the public. The Palm Beach County branch of the state health department issues a beach advisory following the initial poor test. In contrast, the health offices in Broward and Miami-Dade wait for a second test before acting.

The Surfrider Foundation is a national grassroots organization dedicated to ocean protection, with local chapters in South Florida. It has established a Blue Water Task Force consisting of volunteers who regularly test additional recreational water sites within the tri-county area more frequently than the health department.

Exercise caution across South Florida

In Broward, the health department evaluates 13 locations every other week. In December, all these spots showed normal levels. However, the Blue Water Task Force volunteers monitored water quality throughout 2024 at 15 more sites in Broward used for recreational swimming or activities. The task force shares the findings online.

Four locations tested by task force volunteers in December revealed high bacterial levels: the future courthouse site at Southeast Third Avenue, south of the New River; Tarpon Cove Park in Fort Lauderdale; West Rio Vista; and Pompano Pier.

Mike Scully, who served as one of those volunteers, noted that water main breaks in Broward County in recent years have released sewage into the beaches and waterways, and some of these leaks persist. He advises anyone engaging in swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking in the county’s waters or beaches to consult platforms like Surfrider and Swim Guide beforehand.

Christi LeMahieu, Blue Water Task Force Lab Director in Miami-Dade, remarked that her volunteers often discover high levels of fecal bacteria, especially in Biscayne Bay. She attributes the county’s polluted beaches to factors such as rain runoff, sewage spills, and aging infrastructure systems. “This is a result of population growth and a wastewater system that has not kept pace.”

How to mitigate health risks

LeMahieu encourages individuals to educate themselves before engaging in any water or beach activities. You can achieve this by checking the Florida Healthy Beaches website, along with Surfrider and Swim Guide.

“If you notice a beach consistently registers high bacterial levels, avoid it,” she suggested. “Make sure to rinse off afterward, and do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are immunocompromised.”

Advocates for water quality have attempted and failed to persuade state legislators to enhance water quality monitoring and establish a notification system for beachgoers over the last two years. Bauman expressed optimism that progress will be made in 2025.

Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, a Republican from Highland Beach, has already introduced HB 73, named the “Safe Waterways Act.”

This act would transfer oversight of water quality from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection; create real-time alert systems for the public regarding sewage spills, bacterial outbreaks, and other pollution events; and mandate the establishment of a public website and emergency alert system to inform the public about beach closures. Bauman indicated that her organization supports this legislation.

“We aim to see increased frequency in testing, a broader range of sites assessed, and improved public notifications,” Bauman stated.

What about red tide?

Red tide is also known to occur on Florida’s beaches and can lead to health issues for swimmers.

Along Florida’s west coast, as of Jan. 2, there are reports of low levels of red tide (karenia brevis) from St. Petersburg to Fort Myers, with elevated levels near Sanibel Island. Individuals can swim in red tide, but it can cause skin irritation and stinging eyes. Red tide may also induce problems such as coughing and sneezing in those with respiratory conditions.

Red tide is mainly found in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been noted previously on Florida’s east coast, but is not currently detected there.

2025 South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.