State health officials cleared Coral Cove, DuBois Park and Jupiter Beach Park on Nov. 10 after new tests showed bacteria levels back within state guidelines, just in time for the weekend.
Good news for anyone eyeing the water this weekend: the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County has lifted its water quality health advisory for the Jupiter and Tequesta area beaches.
The lift, announced Tuesday, Nov. 10, covers Coral Cove Park in Tequesta, DuBois Park and Jupiter Beach Park in Jupiter, along with Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach further south.
What changed
Tests completed Monday, Nov. 9 showed Enterococcus bacteria levels at all four locations back at an acceptable level under state guidelines, according to the health department. Enterococcus is the bacteria the state uses as its yardstick for recreational water quality, and elevated levels raise the risk of illness for swimmers.
How we got here
These beaches had been under an advisory since late October, when routine sampling found bacteria levels above state criteria. Health officials re-issued the advisory for these four parks on Nov. 3 after tests on Nov. 2 still failed to meet the standard, and advised against swimming and other water activities while it was in effect. The Nov. 9 retest is what finally cleared them.
One caution: state beach sampling is ongoing, and advisories can return after heavy rain or rough surf, so it is worth a quick check of the Florida Healthy Beaches results before a swim, especially for kids. The health department's information line is 561-671-4013.
