Manatee lifts no-swim advisory after Hurricane Idalia. But one beach still has issues

A precautionary no-swim advisory throughout Manatee County has been lifted after public health officials confirmed that water quality is safe following Hurricane Idalia.

After it passed through the Bradenton area last week, Idalia brought flooding to Manatee County’s rivers, beaches and other low-lying coastal areas. The Department of Health in Manatee County issued a no-swim advisory for all bodies of water, including local public beaches, while testing was conducted.

The health department first enacted the no-swim advisory Friday. It was lifted Sunday evening, according to a press release.

However, a no-swim advisory remains in place at the beach on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway along State Road 64 due to high levels of enterococci bacteria.

All of the beaches on Anna Maria Island — including Manatee Public Beach, Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach — are safe places to swim, public health officials said.

Hurricane Idalia dumped about 4 inches of rain and brought 3 1/2 feet of storm surge to Manatee County, according to the National Weather Service.

During the no-swim advisory, the health department advised residents and visitors to avoid contact with floodwater because it could contain fecal matter from sewage systems and septic tanks, along with agricultural or industrial.

For more information, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org.