TAMPA — Bacteria in the water at Cypress Point Beach may make swimming hazardous to your health.
The Hillsborough County Health Department issued an advisory for the Old Tampa Bay beach Wednesday. The beach is in Cypress Point Park at the west end of Cypress Street, south of Tampa International Airport.
According to the advisory, the water has a high level of enterococci bacteria, which may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The high level may indicate fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage, the advisory said.
Although swimming is not allowed, visitors can still sunbathe and picnic on the beach. The beach will reopen once levels of the bacteria reach a satisfactory range.