FT. WALTON BEACH, Fla– The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued a Health advisory for Garnier’s Park of Fort Walton Beach and Lincoln Park of Valparaiso.
The health advisories are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards for enterococci. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
Testing was conducted on September 3. DOH-Okaloosa noted that sampling was delayed for the week due to the beach being closed until Friday, Sept. 3.
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County conducts bi-weekly saltwater beach water quality monitoring at 11 sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October.
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The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals and which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes.
The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.
If you have questions, contact the DOH-Okaloosa at (850) 833-9247 or (850) 689-7859. You can also visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com and click the “Healthy Beaches” link to be taken to a list of Okaloosa County’s Healthy Beaches sites, sampling results and maps.
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