FORT WALTON BEACH — Nine Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.
On April 10, nine parks failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.
They are Liza Jackson and Garniers Parks in Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Islands National Seashore, East Pass and Emerald Promenade on Okaloosa Island; Fred Gannon State Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville; and Clement E. Taylor Park in Destin.
Water quality in Poquito Park, Shalimar, was rated moderate. Wayside Park on Okaloosa Island, and Henderson Beach in Destin earned "good" ratings.
Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.
Call 689-7859 or 833-9247 for more information.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article erroneously stated that Poquito Park is in Destin.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 1 'moderate,' 9 'poor' hazardous water ratings for Okaloosa parks