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Health Advisory for Bacteria Levels

By Arlease Hall

September 20, 2017

Beaches and North Fork of the St. Lucie River

St. Lucie County, FL – Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County is issuing a swimming advisory for South Beach Causeway, JC Park, Jetty Park, Frederick Douglas Park and Walton Rocks Beach on South Hutchinson Island after testing revealed higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria. Also, an advisory is being issued for high bacteria levels in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River after testing revealed higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria at River Park Marina, Veterans Park and Westmoreland Tract Canoe Launch. Potential health risks for those who ingest or come in contact with the water include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.

Enteric bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals and their presence in recreational waters is an indication of fecal pollution. Their presence may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Poor results are posted as an “Advisory” at the affected beaches and those beaches are re-sampled the following week.

Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County has notified the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of the results and will continue to perform additional testing in this area until results are satisfactory. The most recent sample was collected September 18, 2017. Follow up sampling is scheduled for Thursday September 21, 2017.

For St. Lucie County beach and river results, visit the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County website at www.stluciecountyhealth.com. For beach results click on Environmental Health, and then select Healthy Beaches Program, then select Florida Healthy Beaches Website. For river results click on North Fork Bacteria Testing, then click North Fork-St. Lucie River Sample Results.

For more information, please contact St. Lucie’s Environmental Health Division at 772-873-4931.

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