Health advisories in effect for Rocky Bayou, Lincoln parks

The water tested “poor” at Rocky Bayou State Park, Lincoln Park, Brackin Wayside Park, Garniers Park, Liza Jackson Park, and Marler Park.

NICEVILLE, FLA — Health advisories are in effect for the waters at Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville and Lincoln Park in Valparaiso, as well as, four other Okaloosa County parks.

The water tested “poor” at Rocky Bayou State Park, Lincoln Park, Brackin Wayside Park, Garniers Park, Liza Jackson Park, and Marler Park.

The health advisories are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards for enterococci bacteria.

Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections, or rashes.

The sites are among the 11 Okaloosa County sites tested bi-weekly through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.

Samples are collected from March through the end of October.

The most recent sampling took place on August 19, 2019.