Fort Island Gulf Beach remains closed to swimming
Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 1:44pm
The Citrus County Health Department’s advisory against swimming at Fort Island Gulf Beach remained in effect Friday, Feb. 10 after the most recent bacterial samples taken this week were still higher than state safe swimming standards allow.
The beach will remain closed to swimming through the weekend and until water samples taken can be analyzed. The park remains open, though swimming is prohibited.
The beach will remain closed to swimming through the weekend and until water samples taken can be analyzed. The park remains open, though swimming is prohibited.
The advisory is based on the criteria adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The water testing results indicate that water contact may pose an increased risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible individuals. It is not uncommon to get high counts after significant rains.
The beach water will be tested again the middle of next week, and the Citrus County Environmental Health, a division of the Health Department, will then decide based on the samples whether or not the advisory will be extended again.
For information about the advisory or other information about testing results, call the Citrus County Health Department at 352-527-5283 or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website at doh.state.fl.us ( click on the drop down arrow next to “-Choose Subject-“ and then select “Beach Water Quality”).
