Three Miami seashores underneath no-swim, water high quality advisory

A water quality advisory from the Florida Department of Health recommends beachgoers avoid going into the water at three Miami-Dade beach areas.

Thursday testing led to Friday’s advisory concerning the amount of Enterococcus bacteria at North Shore Ocean Terrace, around 73rd Street in Miami Beach; Bark Beach, around 79th Street; and Golden Beach in North Miami-Dade near the Miami-Dade/Broward county line.

“Enterococci are bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and therefore indicate possible contamination of surface waters by fecal waste,” the Environmental Protection Agency explains.

“DOH-Miami-Dade advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers,” the Department of Health said.

The advisory will remain in place until the bacteria levels drop below state guideline minimums.

If you have questions about this, call the Florida Department of Health-Miami-Dade at 305-324-2400.