Swim advisory lifted for Manatee County beaches

Just in time for the Labor Day holiday, the Florida Department of Health-Manatee announced Sunday that it had lifted the county-wide precautionary swim advisory for public beaches that it had issued on Sept. 1.

The precautionary swim advisory was issued in the wake of Hurricane Idalia because of "potential health hazards."

The Department of Health said in a statement Sept. 1 that "until test results are available, you should assume that water contact may pose an increased risk of disease or illness, particularly for susceptible individuals."

However, since that statement, Manatee County government has performed the necessary testing.

The only beach area that remains under a no-swim advisory is Palma Sola South, located along State Road 64 along Palma Sola Bay.

A Department of Health release said on Sunday that a "no-swim advisory is issued when enterococci bacteria levels exceed federal guidelines for safe swimming. It is thought that contact with the water at the site could make beachgoers sick."

Other Manatee County beaches, such as Bayfront Park North, Manatee Public Beach, Bradenton Beach, Coquina Beach (North and South) and Broadway Beach Access on Longboat Key are safe for swimming.

Additional beach information can be found at FloridaHealth.gov.