Swim Advisories Issued For Six Volusia County Beaches

Daytona Beach, FL –  The water temperature at Volusia County beaches is 70 degrees and the weather for this weekend shows sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s. If you’re thinking of getting in the water, you should be aware that the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (FDOH-Volusia) has issued swim advisories for six areas of the beach. FDOH-Volusia said this is a precautionary advisory and comes as a result of recent water sampling conducted as part of the Healthy Beaches Program. Advisory signs have been posted. A swim 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. The areas where advisories are posted are limited to: Silver Beach Ave, Daytona Beach Frank Rendon Park, Daytona Beach Shores Dunlawton Ave, Daytona Beach Shores Toronita Ave., Wilbur by the Sea South Jetty, New Smyrna Beach 27th Ave., New Smyrna Beach The Healthy Beaches Program monitors 10 sites that span more than 40 miles of Volusia County’s beaches. Bacteria levels were acceptable at all other sites tested. The advisory only is for the areas listed. The advisory will be lifted when bacteria levels drop.  Every two weeks, ocean water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. Enterococci bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Associated bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections if open wounds or sores exist. Bacteria levels at the affected sites ranged from 86 to 473. Established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, enterococci single sample criteria are:  Good: 0-35 Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine water Moderate: 36-70 Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine water Poor (unsatisfactory): 71 or greater Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine water