FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – A health advisory has been issued for Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, and Poquito Park and Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach by the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa), DOH-Okaloosa said in a statement.
The health advisory is based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards for enterococci, DOH-Okaloosa said.
According to DOH-Okaloosa, this should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
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. The most recent sampling was on June 12.
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.
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.
