City sustainability staff proposes small water‑quality signs at access points to supplement state testing

Aliyah Garrett, City of Sarasota sustainability and resilience manager, presented a draft water‑quality signage program to the Parks, Environmental Protection Board on Aug. 21, outlining two small sign types the city could install at bathing beaches and at smaller water access points to inform the public about testing and risk.

Garrett said the Florida Department of Health is the state agency that tests water quality at bathing beaches and noted a regulatory requirement that “they have to have 2 bad samples” before posting a no‑swim advisory, which can delay public notification. She said the city’s signs would clarify that the Department of Health does not test most water…