UPDATE: The no-swim advisory has been lifted for Peanut Island. No visual of blue-green algae in the waterway.
EARLIER STORY:
A precautionary no-swim advisory has been issued for the waters around Peanut Island because of the presence of algae.
This comes less than two hours after Palm Beach County officials held a news conference to announce that local waters were algae free and safe to swim in.
That prompted Jorge Pesquera, President & CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches, to issue this statement.
We at Discover The Palm Beaches have been in close contact with senior officials at the Florida Department of Health. The Department of Health has tested, and the bacterial samples taken thus far are NOT toxic. We stand by our previous statements that Palm Beach County oceanside beaches are safe for recreational activities this Fourth of July weekend.
While it will require testing to confirm that the Peanut Island algae is related to the blue green algae that is plaguing the Treasure Coast, Tim O'Connor with the Palm Beach County Health Department confirmed that the advisory is because of the presence of algae.
Fourth of July weekend is a prime time for boaters and families to converge on the man-made island that sits between Singer Island and mainland Riviera Beach. The park will remain open for public use and boaters throughout the holiday weekend, the county said.
All other Palm Beach County-operated beach parks remain open for swimming with no advisories, the Parks Department said.
