BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — There is a new warning for one of Central Florida's most popular swimming spots. Health officials say there is too much bacteria in the water near the Cocoa Beach pier.
On Cocoa Beach near the pier, it was a busy day in the ocean. Even though lurking in the water there's a potential danger, no one there would even notice.
The county Environmental Health Department says an initial water quality test showed high levels of bacteria in the water, a concern that can make people sick.
"There is a high risk of gastrointestinal illness. It's generally not life-threatening. You can have fevers, stomach problems, headaches, nausea," said Cindy Lackey, Brevard County Environmental Health.
The likely culprit is waste from birds landing in the water. Health officials say birds do their business on the pier and, when it rains or at high tides, the waste washes into the water.
Beverly Stroud questioned why she wasn't warned about the danger.
"Well, if there's a chance, they should already tell us about it, because we're visiting from Alabama and I didn't hear anything of it before I came," beach visitor Beverly Stroud said.
But now, health officials said warning signs will be posted at the beach after a second round of tests confirmed the bacteria problem.
Stroud said she planned to get her family out of the water.
A new sample will be taken Monday and results will be back next Tuesday. The county will have warning signs posted on the beach until the samples come back at a safe level.
WFTV
