By Andy Thomason, Times Staff Writer Andy ThomasonTampa Bay Times In Print: Thursday, July 19, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby dissipated almost three weeks ago, but it may still be leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some Pinellas County beachgoers whether they know it or not.

The Pinellas County Health Department issued an advisory Wednesday declaring the water at five of Pinellas County's popular beaches a potential health risk due to high bacteria counts.

The culprit? Fecal matter that was washed from the land into the gulf by Debby's torrential rains.

Maggie Hall, public information director for the Health Department, said she doesn't recall a previous advisory involving so many local beaches. "Debby just drowned the state," she said.

The beaches named in the advisory are Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, Sand Key Park in Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach near the 1700 block of Gulf Boulevard, Archibald Park at Madeira Beach, and Redington Shores near 182nd Avenue W.

Hall didn't rule out the possibility of water at adjacent beaches also being contaminated.

While the beaches remain open, signs have been erected stating that swimming is not recommended because of "increased risk of illness."

Fecal contamination in the water can lead to infection or rashes, so children and people with compromised immune systems shouldn't get in the water. But the average person probably wouldn't get sick, Hall said.

"It's not going to kill you to be in water with a higher (bacteria) count, but it's just not very clean," she said.

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High bacteria levels prompt advisories at five Pinellas beaches