Two Swimming Advisories Issued For Biscayne Bay

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Health officials are asking people to stay out of the water in certain areas of Biscayne Bay after high levels of bacteria were found.

One advisory was issued for western Biscayne Bay, from the shoreline east to Intercoastal Coastal Waterway between the NE 67^th St and Lake Road/NE 50^th St.

The recent heavy rains caused a sewer pump station to overload.

The advisory area also includes the shoreline among Morningside Park located between Lake Road and NE 55th St. and American Legion Park located between NE 64^th and NE 67^th streets.

Another advisory has also been issued for the waters and shoreline off of Virginia Key Beach. Officials say a power interruption at the Virginia Key plant pumps to malfunction and discharge treated wastewater into the bay.

Swimmers are urged to avoid contact with surface waters in the area.

The Miami-Dade County Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs Department will be conducting tests to determine when it is safe to swim in the water.

For more information on the advisories, residents can visit www.miamidade.gov.

In:
• Swimming Advisory