FORT WALTON BEACH — Eight parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.
Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park and Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach; Marler Park, East Pass and Wayside Park of Okaloosa Island; Henderson Beach, James Lee Park and Clement E. Taylor Park of Destin; and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville, based on EPA standards.
Enterococci level indicates fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.
Current water quality ratings are as follows.
Site, Name, City, Enterococci level, Water Quality
Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fail, Poor
Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fail, Poor
Marler Park, Okaloosa Island, Fail, Poor
Wayside Park, Okaloosa Island, Fail, Poor
Poquito Park, Shalimar, Pass, Moderate
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Moderate
East Pass, Okaloosa Island, Fail, Poor
Lincoln Park, Valparaiso, Pass, Moderate
Henderson Beach, Destin, Fail, Poor
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, Fail, Poor
James Lee Park, Destin, Fail, Poor
Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Moderate
Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin, Fail, Poor
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eight Okaloosa parks receive advisories for hazardous water