The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the week ending June 23 background concentrations of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in Sarasota County.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper, which conducts testing for Enterococcus bacteria, reported June 15 finding “don’t swim” levels at the the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and “take caution” levels along the Palma Sola North causeway beach in west Bradenton and at Bayfront Park on Longboat Key.
Suncoast Waterkeeper, the week ending June 23, also confirmed multiple reports from charter captains that there were fish kills found along Sarasota Bay’s northern mainland shoreline, especially near New College in Sarasota. Heavy rain in mid-June overwhelmed stormwater and wastewater systems.
In another development, Manatee County Utilities reported elevated levels of algae in Lake Manatee might be impacting the odor and taste of drinking water.
“While the odor or taste may be noticeable, the water remains safe to drink,” the county stated in a June 21 news release.
The county provides Anna Maria Island’s water.
For more information, go online to mymanatee.org or call the county at 941-748-4501.
Also, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County issued a water quality advisory. The notice June 21 cautioned against swimming at the Palma Sola South beach on Manatee Avenue based on June 17 and June 19 tests showing high levels of Enterococcus bacteria. For more information, go online to floridahealth.gov/healthybeaches or call 941-714-7596.