Lovers Key reopens beach access after water test sampling

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
Lovers Key
Lovers Key beach access closed because of possible fecal matter found. (CREDIT: WINK News)

UPDATE

Lover’s Key has reopened its beach after closing it over the weekend due to fecal contamination.

EARLIER

Two southwest Florida beaches posed a health threat but only one of them was forced to close down.

Earlier this week, Lovers Key State Park closed its beach access because of possible fecal matter.

It’s been five days since the beach access was closed and we just got the sampling results. The sampling results indicate enterococci is at 10 (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water. These numbers are within the ‘good’ category and do not warrant an advisory.

Earlier this summer bacteria was found in the water at Bonita Beach and the only thing preventing people from swimming were some warning signs.

A factor playing a role in this may be that different state agencies have jurisdiction over both parks and have different levels of control. The Department of Environmental Protection has the final say at Lovers Key and they have the power to close the beach.

While the Department of Health in Lee County oversees Bonita Beach. The Department of Health told WINK News it does not have the ability to keep everyone out of the water.

“They are not expensive and you can walk around and enjoy nature,” said Deerfield Beach resident, Valentin Vasquez.

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