FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued water quality advisories for five local parks following recent testing that showed elevated levels of bacteria.
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According to DOH-Okaloosa, the advisory affects Garniers Beach Park, Marler Park, and Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach, Poquito Bayou Park in Shalimar, and Lincoln Park in Valparaiso.
Tests completed on October 27 found that water samples from these locations did not meet the state’s recommended recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria.
Clement E. Taylor Park in Destin was not tested because it is currently closed for renovations, the department said.
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The advisory urges residents and visitors to avoid swimming or wading in the affected waters until further notice. Test results are available through the Florida Healthy Beaches Program at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.
DOH-Okaloosa monitors local beaches and bayous weekly to ensure public safety. For more information, residents may contact the department at 850-833-9247 or visit Okaloosa.FloridaHealth.gov.
