Swimming unsafe at Pinellas beach

CLEARWATER - The area's beaches will be brimming this Independence Day weekend -- all but one. The Courtney Campbell Causeway beach will be barren because health officials say swimming there could be hazardous to your health.

Water from the causeway's roadside beach has tested positive for fecal bacteria twice in the past week. Fecal bacteria can cause disease, infection, and rashes, the Pinellas County Health Department said.

The beach is still open and people are still permitted to swim, but it is not recommended.

Beachgoers largely steered clear of this popular stretch of shoreline Friday, leaving it virtually empty.

"On a holiday weekend it would be packed," said Seminole resident Mary Boyd, who had planned to take a dip until she heard about the advisory.

Like others, Boyd was greeted by Clearwater Police aide Roseanne Mannion, who informed would-be beachgoers of the fecal contamination.

"If you want to stay it's $10, we don't have a problem with that," Mannion told drivers. "But we at least have to tell you there's a bacteria advisory for the water."

After hearing Mannion's warning, Boyd chose to forego her day at the beach -- disappointing a daughter who'd just flown in from Syracuse, New York.

"I'm not even inclined to put my toe in the water to see how hot or cold the water is," she said.

One possible culprit for the pollution is runoff from recent rain showers.

The Health Department expects the swimming advisory to remain in place through the holiday weekend. Officials said another battery of water tests will take place next week -- and results are not expect until late in the week.

Although most people avoided the water Friday, three dogs playfully thrashed in the gentle surf.

"They love to swim," said Dunedin resident Karri Brennan, who brought the Pit Bull Terriers to the beach around noon.

As they poured fresh water from a jug for the dogs to drink, they expressed little concern for a saltwater swim.

"Dogs have a different immune system," she said. "I think they are able to handle the bacteria and stuff."

After lapping up drinking water, the dogs -- named Cocoa, Shorty, and Karma -- bolted back into Tampa Bay. They chased a large plastic ball with virtually no obstacles -- the Brennans had the entire beach to themselves.