Beach water samples for July 22; health advisories issued

The following beaches tested poor: Liza Jackson Park, Garniers Park, and Poquito Park. Each tested high for enteric bacteria, which normally inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

Water health advisories have been issued for two parks in Fort Walton Beach and one in Shalimar. None were issued this week for waters in the Niceville-Valparaiso area.

The following beaches tested poor: Liza Jackson Park, Garniers Park, and Poquito Park. Each tested high for enteric bacteria, which normally inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals, according to a press release from the Florida Department of Health. The bacteria may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public, the release said.

Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville and Lincoln Park in Valparaiso each tested “moderate.”

The sites are among the 11  sites tested bi-weekly through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program detected the concern

Samples are collected from March through the end of October. 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.

The most recent sampling was July 22.

If you have questions, contact the Okaloosa CHD 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.