Miami Beach Bark Beach Under Health Advisory: Elevated Bacteria Levels Prompt Warning

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) issued a water quality advisory for Bark Beach, located at 79th Street in Miami Beach. Tests conducted on Thursday, September 10, showed the water at this location does not meet recreational quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria.

This advisory means residents should avoid all water-related activities at Bark Beach. Swimming or other contact with the water carries an increased risk of illness due to the elevated bacteria levels. The health department's regular water quality monitoring program identified that bacteria levels exceeded state guidelines.

The DOH-Miami-Dade will keep the advisory in effect until bacteria levels return to acceptable health levels. Residents can view beach water quality sampling data for more information on the current conditions.