FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued a health advisory for Cinco Bayou from Linstew Drive NW of Ft. Walton Beach to Cinco Bayou Bridge due to a wastewater release entering near Howell Drive NW.
Waters contaminated with wastewater present several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastrointestinal and other diseases.
The City of Fort Walton Beach is performing water quality monitoring and testing, and once satisfactory results are achieved, the health advisory will be lifted through a future announcement.
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.
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.
