Safe to Swim Resources

Safe to Swim FL

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Join Floridians in supporting the Safe Waterways Act of 2023, improving public notification when waters are contaminated by fecal bacteria. https://safetoswimfl.org #SafetoSwimFL #SafeWaterwaysAct

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#SafetoSwimFL
#SafeWaterwaysAct

Background Information and Press Links

Fecal coliform testing bill glides through initial committee
Apr 3, 2023 | Florida Politics

Waterkeeper: fecal coliform counts high in many protected rivers, creeks in Lee
Feb 3, 2023 | Fort Myers News-Press

Experts warn of contaminated water at Lee County Beaches
Jan 27, 2023 | WBBH / NBC2 Fort Myers

Water quality experts talk swimming, exposure to bacteria during Q and A session
Dec 22, 2022 | Fort Myers News-Press

Florida has a record number of ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria cases
Oct 17, 2022 | Associated Press / Fort Myers News-Press

Health officials warn against swimming at local beaches, in pools after Hurricane Ian
Oct 6, 2022 | Fort Myers News-Press

Fecal bacteria returns to Lee County waters
Sep 26, 2022 | WZVN / ABC7 Fort Myers

Ambiguity on who can close a beach in Lee County:
Who can close Southwest Florida beaches? The answer depends on who you ask
Aug 8, 2022 | Fort Myers News-Press

Similar ambiguity about beach closure near Tampa:
Some Tampa Bay beaches are under a ‘no swim’ advisory. Is yours one of them?
Jul 29, 2022 | WUSF Public Media

Sarasota County stating FDOH did not have authority to close a beach:
No-swim advisories posted at seven Sarasota beaches; new test results due today
Jul 28, 2022 | Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Florida Department of Health warns of fecal bacteria at SWFL beaches, but many swim anyway
Jul 22, 2022 | Fort Myers News-Press

Fecal bacteria may be in the water where you’re swimming. A proposed act aims to require posting advisories.
Feb 1, 2022 | WGCU Gulf Coast Live

Legislation proposed enabling your right to know if Florida waters are safe
Nov 3, 2021 | Fort Myers News-Press Guest Opinion

Florida bill wants signs posted by creeks, waters contaminated by fecal bacteria
Oct 27, 2021 | WINK / CBS Fort Myers

Proposed law would warn of poop-polluted waters where people boat, wade and fish
Oct 27, 2021 | Fort Myers News-Press

Lori Berman, Yvonne Hayes Hinson Team Up on Safe Waterways Act
Oct 27, 2021 | Florida Daily

Florida Legislators Introduce Safe Waterways Act
Oct 26, 2021 | Calusa Waterkeeper

‘Safe Waterways Act’ filed in Florida legislature
Oct 26, 2021 | WFSU Public Media Tallahassee

Florida Bill Wants Signs Posted by Creeks and Waters Contaminated by Fecal Bacteria
Oct 25, 2021 | WINK / CBS Fort Myers

“Safe Waterways Act” filed in Florida
Oct 25, 2021 | WTXL / ABC27 Tallahassee

Gainesville State Representative and Senator filed the Safe Waterways Act
Oct 25, 2021 | WGFL / CBS4 Gainesville

Mayor shames contractor for warning public about ‘high levels of bacteria’ in Fort Lauderdale waterways
Jan 25, 2021 | Local 10 Fort Lauderdale

Example of coastal beach that FDOH & Lee County would not post advisories for:
Tropical Point Park waters cause concern
Oct 28, 2020 | Pine Island Eagle

Calusa Waterkeeper and City of Fort Myers find Differing Fecal Bacteria Data
Sep 8, 2020 | WINK / CBS Fort Myers

‘Staggering’ Amount of Fecal Bacteria Found in Billy’s Creek in Fort Myers
Jun 10, 2020 | WBBH / NBC2 Fort Myers

Points out different approaches between Palm Beach & Broward Counties:
These beaches aren’t as clean as you think they are
Oct 5, 2019 | South Florida Sun Sentinel

Southwest Florida Under a ‘Code Brown’ Following Rash of Fecal Bacteria Reported in Local Waterways
Apr 24, 2019 | Florida Politics

Fecal Bacteria Storm a Nightmare for Tourism
Apr 20, 2018 | Fort Myers News-Press Guest Opinion

Florida beaches shut down swimming after finding elevated levels of fecal bacteria
Jun 30, 2016 | The Independent

Legislative Links