FORT WALTON BEACH — Four parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.
Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach, Marler Park of Okaloosa Island, Henderson Beach of Destin and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville have received advisories for enteric bacteria presence. This indicates fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.
Current water quality ratings are listed below by sight name, advisory level, and water quality, with bold print for easier reading.
Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach; Pass; Good.
GarniersPark, Fort Walton Beach; Fail; Poor.
MarlerPark, Okaloosa Island; Fail; Poor.
WaysidePark, Okaloosa Island; Pass; Moderate.
PoquitoPark, Shalimar; Pass; Moderate.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island; Pass; Moderate.
East Pass, Okaloosa Island; Pass; Moderate.
Lincoln Park, Valparaiso; Pass; Moderate.
Henderson Beach, Destin; Fail; Poor.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville; Fail; Poor.
James Lee Park, Destin; Pass; Moderate.
Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island; Pass; Moderate.
Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin; Pass; Moderate.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Four parks receive advisories for fecal matter