COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Brevard County health officials lifted a swim advisory for Cocoa Beach Pier nearly a week after fecal bacteria was found in the water.
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County previously said on April 21 the enteric bacteria, or enterococci, which normally inhabits the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, posed a potential health risk to beachgoers and swimming is not recommended.
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According to researchers, the presence of the bacteria, which potentially increases the risk of disease, infections or rashes, could have stemmed from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife and/or human feces.
Health officials have been monitoring the saltwater quality at the Cocoa Beach Pier once every two weeks through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.
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Water samples analyzed April 17 and 19 indicated poor water quality, with more than 70 colony-forming units of enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water found.
Since then, bacteria at the Cocoa Beach Pier returned to acceptable levels, based on a sample taken April 25.
Two permanent metal signs in the area previously showed a no swimming advisory.
This comes as Florida Today reported fish were contaminated with prescription drugs in another Brevard County body of water, Indian River Lagoon. Researchers told the outlet the influx of pills could inflict long-term harm to local fish populations.
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