Don’t Swim There! Suncoast Waterkeeper Annual Enterococci Results

Another year has passed, and we are thrilled to share the results of our enterococci monitoring program. Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, we conducted weekly sampling at 11 popular sites along the Suncoast to measure fecal indicator bacteria levels. These locations are not monitored by any other agency in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, and our program aims to fill that critical gap. Regular monitoring of these sites allows us to assess water quality conditions and provide timely information on whether it is safe to swim.

We post the results on our website, Water Reporter map, Instagram, and Facebook every Friday to keep the community informed. 

Over the past year, two sites consistently showed poor water quality, Bridge Street Pier and Palma Sola Bay (north of the Causeway). Our data indicates that swimming at these locations was unsafe for most of the year. In contrast, sites with consistently good water quality included Longboat Key Bayfront Park, Longboat Key Town Boat Ramp (on Bayside Drive), and Emerson Point Preserve.

High levels of fecal indicator bacteria can result from many factors, including recent unprecedented weather events on the Suncoast. These events have brought substantial rainfall, severe flooding, and widespread devastation to local communities. For example, the heavy rain from Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024 caused extremely high enterococci levels across all 11 monitored sites. It took approximately five weeks for these areas to recover and become safe for swimming again. The subsequent storms, which brought much less rain, took less of a toll on water quality than Debby.

When reviewing the monthly averages of our results, we found that certain months showed poor water quality across all sites—specifically December 2023 and the period from June to August 2024. Seasonal changes play a significant role in these patterns, influencing water movement, rainfall, tidal shifts, sewage overflows, pollution runoff, and other contributing factors.

We are continuing our weekly enterococci monitoring efforts in bayside waters! We would like to encourage you to stay posted for swim advisories from the Departments of Health in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, which monitor and report on fecal indicator bacteria on Gulf beaches.  Also, report pollution through our ‘Eyes on the Suncoast’ Program whenever you observe incidents like sewage overflows, dead mangroves, fish kills, etc.  We couldn’t have reached another year of making this program possible without the support of our donors. Thank you for supporting the work that we do!