This Memorial Day weekend, you may want to cool off somewhere other than Crandon Park North in Key Biscayne.
Read more Sports
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County said the water at Crandon Park North does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria, which could indicate fecal pollution.
The samples were conducted during regular water quality monitoring on Thursday. They showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines, a statement reads.
Health officials advise against water-related activities at Crandon Park North due to an increased risk of illness.
What is Enterococcus bacteria?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), enterococci are bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and “indicate possible contamination of surface waters by fecal waste.”
The bacteria could come from animal waste, sewage dumped from boats, stormwater runoff and other sources, including ones not related to feces, such as “plants, sand, soil and sediments,” the EPA states.
Read more Knicks defeat Cavs in Game 2 to take 2-0 lead in Eastern Conference Finals
While the bacteria is not usually harmful, swimming in waters polluted with enterococci could cause skin, eye, ear and respiratory tract diseases.
When the water quality is good, tests samples return 0-35 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water.
At Crandon Park North, the water quality is poor, meaning 71 or more enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water were found in samples.
Health officials will continue to test samples of the water, and the results can be found here.
Read more Crews battle RV fire that spread to home in NW Miami-Dade