BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
UPDATE: 4:12 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023: The advisory has been lifted.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A health advisory was just issued by the Florida Department of Health for Boca Raton’s South Inlet Beach. Swimming is prohibited until further notice. The following is the official advisory:
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) of Palm Beach County conducts regular beach water quality sampling and has posted a Health Advisory for South Inlet Beach. A recent sampling showed elevated bacterial levels in the water. As a precaution, swimming at South Inlet Beach is prohibited until further notice.
The beach is located in Boca Raton’s City limits, but operated by Palm Beach County. Continue to check back here or visit Palm Beach County’s website for updates. FDOH found sample levels to be greater than 71 colonies per 100 millimeters of marine water putting both beaches in the “poor range,” which indicates a potential health risk to the bathing public.
For the safety of residents and visitors, swimming is prohibited until further notice; however, the park and beach will remain open. Additional water samples will be taken and it is hoped that full use of the beach may resume within the next 24 to 48 hours. The cause of the elevated level of bacteria that prompted the advisory is unknown, but is generally associated with storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. For more information, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County at 561-837-5988.
