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Precautionary Swim Advisory Cleared for Palm Beach Shores

Press Release
Date: 9/10/2019
 
Palm Beach County Saltwater Beach Monitoring Results
 
The Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County has been conducting saltwater beach water quality sampling since August 5, 2002 as part of the Florida Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. We are presently sampling thirteen
(13) beaches on a bi-weekly basis. The water samples are being examined for enterococci bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and which may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and
wildlife, and human sewage. The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine Florida’s beach water quality.
 
Date of Sample: 9/9/2019
Site Name City Enterococci Water Quality Status
1. Dubois Park Jupiter 20 Good Satisfactory
2. Jupiter Beach Park Jupiter <10 Good Satisfactory
3. Carlin Park Jupiter 20 Good Satisfactory
4. Riviera Beach Riviera Bch 10 Good Satisfactory
5.  Phil Foster Riviera Bch <10 Good Satisfactory
7.  Palm Beach Municipal Palm Beach <10 Good Satisfactory
8.  Lake Worth- Kreusler Lake Worth 10 Good Satisfactory
9.  Ocean Inlet Park Ocean Ridge 80 Poor Advisory
10. Boynton Beach Ocean Ridge 20 Good Satisfactory
12.  Sandoway-Delray Bch Delray Bch 10 Good Satisfactory
13. Spanish River Boca Raton 10 Good Satisfactory
14. South Inlet Park Boca Raton 10 Good Satisfactory
15.  Lantana Beach Lantana 10 Good Satisfactory
 
Water quality classifications are based upon:
 United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended criteria for enterococci is:
Good = 0-35 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Moderate = 36-70 Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Poor = 71 or greater Enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water or 36 or greater enterococci per 100ml of marine water as a geometric mean over a five week period.
 
 An Advisory is issued for a beach that samples in the “Poor” range of the EPA standards.  This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
 
 If you should have any questions, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County at (561)837-5988, or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website (www.doh.state.fl.us, click on the drop down arrow next to “Choose Subject” and then select “Beach Water Quality”).
 



SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY ISSUES PRECAUTIONARY SWIM ADVISORY
Avoid contact with contaminated water

 Contact:
Communications Office
chd50feedback@flhealth.gov
561-671-4014

 Palm Beach County, FL — Due to the potential effects on water quality related to Hurricane Dorian, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) has issued a county wide precautionary swim advisory for all public beaches. At this time, swimming is not recommended.

 Tests will be conducted, when possible, to determine the water quality at public beach locations. Until test results are available, you should assume that water contact may pose an increased risk of disease or illness, particularly for susceptible individuals.

 Additionally, residents should avoid contact with floodwaters which come from an overflow of any water body from rivers, lakes, or oceans. Floodwater may contain fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste, and septic tanks. Floodwaters can also mask debris, downed power lines, and other hazards.

 DOH recommends the following precautions after hurricanes.

 • Follow basic hygiene during this emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water which has either been boiled or disinfected before eating and after toilet use.

• Do not allow children to play in floodwater. They can be exposed to water contaminated with fecal matter.

• Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Use 1/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water to disinfect toys and other items.

• If you have open cuts or sores exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and disinfected or boiled then cooled water. Apply antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection. If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling or drainage, see a physician.

• After helping in cleanup activities and after handling items contaminated by floodwater or sewage, wash hands with soap and water.

 The latest testing on salt water beaches will be updated on DOH’s website http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html. For fresh water beaches, contact the Environmental Health Section of the DOH-Palm Beach where the fresh water beach is located for information about fresh water beaches. A list of county health department websites can be found here: 
http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/county-health-departments/find-a-county-health-department/index.html

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.floridahealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org
During severe weather and other emergencies, you can count on active alerts from the department's official social media accounts along with DOH-Palm Beach.

 About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.