"No swim" advisory lifted at Bird Key Park

Sarasota County lifted a “no swim” advisory at Bird Key Park on Saturday after tests showed the water in the area met state and federal standards.

The “no swim” advisory was issued on Thursday after elevated levels of enteric bacteria were discovered in the water. The county has issued other “no swim” advisories recently, including one lifted Tuesday at Nokomis Beach.

According to a county press release, staff discovered large amounts of animal waste along the beach in close proximity to the water at Bird Key Park, which is an approved dog park. Rainfall washing pet waste and other pollutants into the bay is a likely source for the elevated bacteria levels, the release said.

County staff also observed a large amount of decaying marine algae — another potential source of bacteria — in the water and along the shoreline.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].