Flagler County, FL - Flagler County beaches will remain closed due to test results showing above average levels of dangerous bacteria in the water.
These tests are regularly done at 6 locations in Flagler County by the Flagler Health Department. Some of the results from samplings taken 5 days after Hurricane Matthew showed higher-than-normal levels of enterococci bacteria.
“We recommend posting an advisory when the test results come back at 70 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water,” said John Bey, Environmental Health Director. Some of the results were at that level so an advisory has been issued. The Health Department is retesting the water today and the results are expected sometime tomorrow afternoon.
“We want to see what the new test results are before we reopen the beaches,” Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We know people want to get back to the beaches they love – they are one of our greatest assets here in Flagler. We need to make sure that everyone is safe.”
Photo of Enterococcus bacteria courtesy royaltystockphoto.com and Shutterstock.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.
