FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has lifted all health advisories for recreational waterways impacted by nearby sewage spills caused by recent flooding. Testing has confirmed that the water quality has returned to normal levels. The following areas are cleared of advisories as of May 9:
•Santa Rosa Sound from the Okaloosa County line to the mouth of Choctawhatchee Bay, including areas east of Mary Esther Cutoff in Mary Esther through Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island
•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, along the coast of Fort Walton Beach, from the mouth of Santa Rosa Sound to Garnier Bayou
•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay in the area at the intersection of Indian Trial and Main Street in Destin
•Tom’s Bayou in Valparaiso
Please note, advisories are still in place for two sites in the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program, Garniers Park in Fort Walton Beach and Wayside Park of Okaloosa Island, due to elevated levels of enterococci.
If you have questions, contact DOteh department at 850-833-9247 or 850-689-7859. You can also visit the website and click the “Healthy Beaches” link to be taken to a list of Okaloosa County’s Healthy Beaches sites and maps.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department lifts health advisories for recreational waterways impacted by sewage