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Read the signs at Charlotte County beaches.
Charlotte County
Health Department is participating in the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The
Healthy Beaches Program involves the monitoring of salt or brackish water
beaches and issues health advisories if beach waters fail to meet required
standards. Eight beaches throughout Charlotte County are sampled and monitored weekly for
numbers of bacteria. The goal of the program is to prevent waterborne illness by advising
Florida residents and visitors against recreating in waters potentially
contaminated with human pathogens. Signs are posted at public
beaches to notify people about the water quality.
Fecal enteroccci are bacteria that are
indicators of associated pathogenic bacteria that may cause illness in swimmers.
The bacteria inhabit warm blooded animals and are excreted in animal waste
products. Although these organisms may not necessarily be pathogenic (disease
causing) they indicate the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms that may be
present in the water, If high concentrations of pathogenic organisms are
ingested while in recreational waters or enter through an open cut or sore they
may cause human disease or infections. The most common symptoms include rashes,
diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
The 30” x 17” reflective metal signs are placed prominently on
monitored beaches. Under normal conditions the signs read, “This Beach Monitored as Part of the Healthy
Beaches Program -No Water Quality Advisory at this
Time.” If a warning or an advisory is issued based upon
the results of water sampling, the metal sign will be
adjusted to read “ADVISORY - High Bacteria Levels Swimming NOT Recommended --
Increased Risk of Illness at This Time”. This statement coupled with the large
universal no swimming icon should warn individuals to refrain from recreating in
the water until the advisory is lifted.
Check for a Beach Advisory
See Water Sample Results
Red Tide Information
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Environmental Health Contact:
(941) 743-1266
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