FORT WALTON BEACH — Six Okaloosa County 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; Gulf Islands National Seashore and Emerald Promenade of Okaloosa Island; Clement Taylor Park and James Lee Park of Destin, based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.
The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 parks receive advisories for hazardous water