FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.— A health advisory has been issued for Mills Bayou in Fort Walton Beach due to a wastewater release, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has announced.
Approximately 400 gallons of wastewater have been released in Mills Bayou. Drinking water has not been affected, DOH-Okaloosa said.
Waters contaminated with wastewater presents several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastrointestinal and other diseases. Anyone who comes into contact with the affected waterway should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking.
Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease, so every precaution should be taken if in contact with the affected waters.
Okaloosa County Water and Sewer is performing water quality monitoring and testing, and once satisfactory results are achieved, the health advisory will be lifted through a future press release.
For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, residents and visitors are encouraged to contact DOH-Okaloosa at 850-833-9247 or visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com.
