The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County reported the latest water quality results.
The department conducts weekly saltwater beach water quality monitoring at 13 sites. Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria that inhabit humans and animals’s intestinal tract and which may cause human disease, infections or rashes.
This bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution that may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage.
Site ID - Location, Result, and Rating
SP-1 - Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fail, Poor
SP-2 - Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fail, Poor
SP-3 - Marler Park, Okaloosa Island , Pass, Moderate
SP-4 - Wayside Park, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good
SP-5 - Poquito Park, Shalimar, Pass, Moderate
SP-6 - Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island, Fail, Poor
SP-7 - East Pass, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Moderate
SP-8 - Lincoln Park, Valparaiso, Fail, Poor
SP-9 - Henderson Beach, Destin, Pass, Good
SP-10 - Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, Fail, Poor
SP-11 - James Lee Park, Destin, Pass, Good
SP-13 - Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good
SP-14 - Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin, Pass, Good
Water quality classifications are based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standard for enterococci of greater than or equal to 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of marine water.
Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park and Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Island National Seashore of Okaloosa Island; Lincoln Park of Valparaiso; and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville based on the EPA’s recommended enterococci standards.
This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public.
