County beach water advisory lifted at Venice Public Beach

A beach water advisory for Venice Public Beach was lifted this afternoon. Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from samples taken yesterday, Wednesday, March 23. Water quality at this location now meets both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state recreational water standards. Residents and visitors may return to swimming and other water sports at this beach site. The "no swim" beach water advisory signage is being removed.

Health officials say that they will continue to closely monitor the beach water at Venice Public Beach. They will keep the public apprised of any new information regarding potential factors contributing to the elevated bacteria levels over the past three weeks.

The Sarasota County Health Department monitors water quality weekly at 16 sites along Sarasota's 34 miles of beaches. The intent of this program is to provide county residents and visitors with accurate, up-to-date information on the water quality at our beaches. Click here for beach water testing results.

Residents and visitors can visit www.OurGulfEnvironment.net and click on water monitoring and then bacterial testing to check beach water testing results of area Gulf beaches, or call the Sarasota County Health Department's Environmental Health office at 941-861-6133.