Many people will likely be spending time by the ocean this holiday weekend, and naturally, you want to know if that water is safe.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently vetoed a bill that would have changed how you are informed about water quality issues.
HB 165: Sampling of Beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces would have required the Florida Department of Health to issue health advisories if the quality of beach waters or a public bathing place fails to meet standards established by the department and shall require closure of beach waters and public bathing places that fail to meet the department’s standards if it deems closure is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
WPTV reporter Stephanie Susskind visited Ocean Inlet Park in Palm Beach County, which is currently under a “no swim advisory” due to high bacteria levels.
However, she found many people on the beach had no idea, despite the sign at the beach entrance warning them about the conditions. The advisory sign was hanging close to the ground, below the beach conditions sign and out of sight for many people. The bacteria warning was also written on the sign as part of the beach conditions, but still, many beachgoers missed it.