Health Advisory For Pensacola Beach Near Pier: Stay Out Of The Water Due To Bacteria

September 20, 2019

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory for Casino Beach near the Pensacola Beach Pier advising people to stay out of the water to avoid getting sick.

The warning was issued after testing showed a high level of enterococci bacteria.

“Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,” says Escambia CHD Director Dr. John Lanza. “Water samples gathered at these sites had a levels of enterococci bacteria which exceeds the recommended threshold. We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice.”3

The bacteriological sampling occurred during water quality monitoring activities, and the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.

The health department will lift the advisory only when additional testing shows the water to be safe.

Comments

25 Responses to “Health Advisory For Pensacola Beach Near Pier: Stay Out Of The Water Due To Bacteria”

  1. Adam on September 24th, 2019 8:51 am

    Has the water quality been checked again yet?
    I would think after a weekend of easterly winds the amount of
    this specific bacteria may be diluted or have been sent west.

  2. Kenny Newsome on September 23rd, 2019 1:51 pm

    I know this is bad and the news makes me believe the local government should be doing something to fix the problem, making a proactive move to stop this from happening .. isn’t hard to determine and or track where the bacteria came from by using current technology to trace the bacteria back to its origin .. whoever found the presence has the ability to find where it came from .. with that said, I’m glad and feel fortunate to live in a area of America and of Florida where the water is sampled and measures are in place to protect us and warn us when there’s a threat to our health .. God bless this state and the USA .. I know what it’s like to live in a state and county where rules are broken to serve a few and testing is ignored .. just look no further than Flint Mi to see how public can be harmed by such ..

  3. john on September 23rd, 2019 6:50 am

    If the treatment plant is releasing sewage, why don’t they do it when the tide is going out?

  4. Josh on September 22nd, 2019 1:53 pm

    SWEET!!!!bacteria commonly found in animals,predominantly in humans intestines!!!!!
    So ,when does the Giant Toilet get built next to the Beach Ball on Pcola Beach?
    Something to be proud of right here!
    Evidently ,every individual that pays for the luxury of Flushing the Ol’Toilet Bowl that is a Resident of course,should maybe get a fair shot at seeing or experiencing a price drop in the monthly bill!!! Seeing as

  5. A on September 22nd, 2019 12:58 pm

    There has been no rain in many weeks to cause high enterococcus levels in the water from storm runoff. Officials seriously need to look into this. Someone has to b dumping untreated sewage into the water. What other explanation makes sense?!

  6. Terry mcgehee on September 22nd, 2019 11:23 am

    My grandson caught virbo bacteria off a charter boat , got a small cut on finger and turn into blisters days later very sick was taken too hospital 2 very strong meds was out work & school a week he a big boy and it buckle him too his knees , so if u have health promblems stay clear of the beaches !

  7. Look it up on September 22nd, 2019 9:59 am

    Enterococci are bacteria more persistent than E. coli in saltwater and used as an indicator of coastal water quality. Enterococci are a form of fecal streptococci and, if present, indicate fecal material from warm blooded animals is present in water. This has nothing to do with OIL COMPANIES OR OIL EXPLORATION. Everything to do with operation of waste treatment facilities, lack of restrooms at beach, and storm drainage

  8. Bonnie EXNER on September 21st, 2019 10:47 pm

    AND THE OIL COMPANIES WANT TO CONTINUE DRILLING IN THE GULF…WAKE UP, PEOPLE OR WE WILL LOOSE THE MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE WE HAVE!

  9. Donna Beasley on September 21st, 2019 9:17 pm

    I have heard rumors that the P Beach water treatment plant is dumping into the bay at night. Have no idea if that is true or not but someone should be investigating thoroughly the source before it affects tourism and health of locals.

  10. TJ on September 21st, 2019 4:18 pm

    @Molino Mom
    The article says “We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice”. I think fishing is a water-related activity.

  11. Corinne Mitchell on September 21st, 2019 1:08 pm

    Folks there need to require their elected officials handle this immediately. More extensive testing is needed. That much crap doesn’t just come from people pooping. Sounds like something is being dumped and no one’s naming the culprit.

    Demand answers folks!!

  12. Ed on September 21st, 2019 11:51 am

    Let’s try and get a more thorough report on the subject. Testing two spots in a 35 mile range gives us little to work with.
    Absolutely no way I’m going to trust what SRIA says.

  13. Reni on September 21st, 2019 7:07 am

    Could someone tell me where the cruise ships empty their sewage tanks?

  14. Taree Huggers on September 20th, 2019 11:02 pm

    You can’t swim in the Gulf or east bass out of fresh water and the current administration is lowering water quality standards. Think about that as long as you want.

  15. Crystal on September 20th, 2019 9:23 pm

    How about the other areas? Are they tested? And safe to swim like fort Pickens ? It has been super hot. Bacteria grows in heat. Please let us know. All areas

  16. Mike on September 20th, 2019 8:05 pm

    Did somebody defecate into the water?

  17. Kenneth J Conte on September 20th, 2019 6:17 pm

    IMPORTANT QUESTION ??.. WHERE IS THE ORIGIN ??????? HUMAN FECES ?????

  18. retired on September 20th, 2019 6:08 pm

    DON’T TELL THE TOURISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  19. Denny Danshinov on September 20th, 2019 5:42 pm

    Wow.Thats a shocker!I always swim in the gulf.Would like to know more about this!

  20. CW on September 20th, 2019 4:09 pm

    “Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,”

    So there’s sewage in the water?

  21. Anne on September 20th, 2019 4:02 pm

    Sounds like there should be Caution Hazards Bacteria tape strung along the beach to keep the public safe.

    Remembering several years back when Quietwater Beach / Mother’s Beach near the Boardwalk had human waste floating on the 4th of July.
    NO Postings or Warnings were made until many had been exposed to all the bacteria and nastiness.
    Turns out the sewage plant there had problems and raw sewage was discharged directly into the waters. Nope, authorities only reluctantly responded from what we remember.

  22. Molino Mom on September 20th, 2019 3:14 pm

    So, just out of curiosity- does this mean no one should fish in that area either?
    If not, shouldn’t the advisory say just no fishing at all in the general area? I wouldn’t eat anything caught out of there in known bacteria! That would be just as dangerous as swimming in it, right?

  23. Dave Sparks on September 20th, 2019 3:00 pm

    Is it contained just around the pier ?? Odd.

  24. paul on September 20th, 2019 2:58 pm

    I’m not worried about the Snakes, Gators or Sharks. It’s what I can’t see that keeps me out of Rivers and the Gulf. I just use my pool. I do remember the good ole days when we jumped into the Gulf to help heal wounds. I wouldn’t even think about doing that again.

  25. KIM on September 20th, 2019 2:22 pm

    It’s pretty sad when you can’t even enjoy the beach!!