2 Hillsborough beaches get swim advisories after fecal bacteria found in water

Health officials say people shouldn’t go swimming at two Hillsborough County beaches because of fecal matter in the water.

The two beaches are Bahia Beach in Ruskin and Davis Islands Beach in Tampa.

“At this time, there is a potential health risk to the bathing public, and swimming is not recommended,” according to an alert issued Friday by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.

The agency conducts water tests every week for bacteria “that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and which may indicate increased risk of human disease, infections, or rashes,” a news release states.

The presence of the bacteria is “an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage,” the release states.