The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) conducts bi-weekly saltwater beach water quality monitoring at 11 sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.
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.
According to the DOH, a Health advisory has been issued for Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach. The health advisories are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards for enterococci. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public, according to the DOH.
If you have questions, contact DOH-Okaloosa at (850) 833-9247 or (850) 689-7859.