News of the Nature Coast of Florida

Citrus County Parks and Recreation has closed Fort Island Gulf Beach after the Citrus County Environmental Health Department issued a warning for the county beach late Thursday based on the criteria for enterococci bacteria adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The presence of the bacteria in water samples indicates that contact with the water may pose an increased risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible individuals.

The Environmental Health Department said in the advisory that it is not uncommon for lakes, rivers and oceans to become contaminated with germs from sewage, animal waste and water runoff following a rainfall.

The beach water will be tested again the week of Nov. 23. The results will be available Wednesday, Nov. 25. After evaluating the results, Environmental Health said, it will take the appropriate steps based on the results.

For more information, call the Citrus County Health Department at 352-527-5283, or visit the Department of Health’s Internet Beach Water Quality website www.doh.state.fl.us,( click on the drop down arrow next to “-Choose Subject-“ and then select “Beach Water Quality”).