No-swim advisory lifted for Bayfront park

Beachgoers in Anna Maria can enjoy the waters of Bayfront Park North once more after a bout of infectious bacteria in the water.

The Florida Department of Health lifted a no-swim advisory Nov. 5 for Bayfront Park North after levels of enterococci bacteria — which can be found in human and animal feces and can pose a risk of infectious disease — dropped within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards.

The DOH issued the advisory Oct. 26 after tests conducted Oct. 21 and Oct. 23. Lifting the advisory means subsequent test results showed it is safe for beachgoers to enjoy the tides once more.

The last no-swim advisory for the beach had been issued Aug. 30 and lifted Sept. 5, also for enterococci bacteria.

Fecal matter from animal or human waste can spill into the bayfront waters through sewer-line breaks, leaching septic systems, lift station failures, stormwater runoff and other events.

Around the time the advisory was issued, Manatee County employees were replacing a force main sewer line at the lift station at the park.

Anna Maria public works manager Dean Jones told The Islander Nov. 4 that drainage from the work was pumped into the bay, but it was not sewage.

He said the water table is high, so work involving excavations requires groundwater to be pumped off-site in order for workers to dig deeper.

Jones said the groundwater pumped from the worksite into the bay was filtered through a silt bag to remove sediments, such as dirt and minerals. He said the practice was in line with EPA standards.

“The work that was being done out there was completely safe,” Jones said. “There was never any question of sewage being spilled into the bay and the work was permitted and completely legal.”