Three Franklin County beaches under swimming advisories this week

There are three swimming advisories in Franklin County this week including one at the St. George Island state park. People are also advised against swimming at Alligator Point and at Carrabelle beach. High concentrations of the enterococcus bacteria were found in water samples taken from the State Park and moderate concentrations were found at Alligator Point. There was no bacteria found in samples taken from Carrabelle beach this week, but the three week average bacteria count is still too high to lift the advisory. Health officials say they also found bacteria in water samples taken from the St. George Island public beach, but concentrations were not high enough to issue an advisory. The presence of the enterococcus bacteria indicates either human or animal waste in the water. Wakulla County also has advisories at both of its popular swimming areas, which include Mash’s Island and Shell Point. There were no advisories issued for Gulf County waters this week.