Archives Index  / Swimming Advisory Issued For Silver Beach Ave, Florida Shores Blvd. And Dunlawton Ave Beach Area
(posted: 02/11/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer

DAYTONA BEACH – The Volusia County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for the Silver Beach Avenue, Florida Shores Boulevard and Dunlawton Avenue areas of the beach based on water sampling conducted this week.

This swimming advisory is necessary because the enterococcus bacteria levels have exceeded the geometric mean standard levels. “We typically see elevated bacteria levels during this time of year due to increased migratory bird populations which have been observed along this small area of the Volusia County coastline,” said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department.

The Healthy Beaches Program monitors 15 sites that span over 40 miles of beach area. The areas from International Speedway Boulevard extending north and from Toronita Avenue extending south are not under advisory.

A swimming advisory means that contact with the water may pose an increased risk of infectious disease based upon Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria, and swimming is not recommended at this time.

This is a precautionary advisory and not a closure of Volusia County’s beaches. Environmental Health experts say the spike in levels is a natural phenomenon. A spike has occurred every winter for the past several years. In every case, the levels have returned to the normal range in a matter of days or weeks.

Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria, which includes fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria. Both bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Associated bacteria can cause gastrointestinal problems, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections if open wounds or sores exist.

Water sampling will continue and the beach advisory will be lifted as soon as it is possible.

Background information on the Aquatic Toxins Program and Florida Healthy Beaches Program can be found at: www.doh.state.fl.us, www.volusiahealth.com, or www.floridashealth.com.