Beach water quality testing performed by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County has indicated elevated levels of enteric bacteria (enterococci) in the near shore waters at the following beaches: Jonh Pennekamp State Park Beach, Harry Harris Park Beach, both located in Key Largo; Founder’s Park Beach, Islamorada Library Beach both located in Islamorada; Cocoplum Beach located in Marathon; and Bahia Honda Oceanside Beach located in Big Pine Key. Advisories have been issued for these locations.
The previous health advisory issue for Ann’s Beach has been lifted and discontinued.
The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. These bacteria may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The Department of Health advises the public not to swim or practice other water-related activities in the near shore waters at these locations. This notice will remain in effect until bacteriological results show that the water is safe for such purposes.
The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine Florida’s beach water quality.
| NAME | CITY | ENTEROCOCCUS | WATER QUALITY | ADVISORY? |
| ANNE’S BEACH | ISLAMORADA | 51 | MODERATE | NO |
| BAHIA HONDA BAYSIDE BEACH | BIG PINE KEY | 10 | GOOD | NO |
| BAHIA HONDA OCEANSIDE BEACH | BIG PINE KEY | 98 | POOR | YES |
| BAHIA HONDA SANDSPUR BEACH | BIG PINE KEY | 1 | GOOD | NO |
| COCOPLUM BEACH | MARATHON | 74 | POOR | YES |
| CURRY HAMMOCK S.P BEACH | MARATHON | 41 | MODERATE | NO |
| FOUNDERS PARK BEACH | ISLAMORADA | 122 | POOR | YES |
| FT ZACHARY TAYLOR S.P. BEACH | KEY WEST | 10 | GOOD | NO |
| HARRY HARRIS PARK BEACH | KEY LARGO | 285 | POOR | YES |
| HIGGS BEACH | KEY WEST | 10 | GOOD | NO |
| ISLAMORADA LIBRARY BEACH | ISLAMORADA | 187 | POOR | YES |
| JOHN PENNEKAMP S.P. BEACH | KEY LARGO | 189 | POOR | YES |
| SIMONTON BEACH | KEY WEST | 10 | GOOD | NO |
| SMATHERS BEACH | KEY WEST | 10 | GOOD | NO |
| SOMBRERO BEACH | MARATHON | 41 | MODERATE | NO |
| SOUTH BEACH | KEY WEST | 53 | MODERATE | NO |
| SUNSET PARK BEACH | KEY COLONY | 20 | GOOD | NO |
| VETERAN’S BEACH | BIG PINE KEY | 1 | GOOD | NO |