Here's a FAQ from Okaloosa's Department of Health site:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdokaloosa/Services/Environmental_Health/documents/FAQs_HealthyBeaches_June2012.pdf
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING BEACH WATER QUALITY
- June 2012 -
What is the Healthy Beaches program?
Coastal beach water samples are collected in Florida every two weeks by county health departments. The
samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. High concentrations of these bacteria may indicate the
presence of microorganisms that could cause disease, infections, or rashes. County health departments
will issue health advisories when these conditions are confirmed.
What are enterococci?
Enterococci are bacteria found in the intestine of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Because
these bacteria are easy to detect and commonly found in animal and human waste, they are used as
indicators of recreational water quality conditions. Enterococci are the organisms that the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using to measure bacteria leves in recreational
water.
What causes the health department to issue an advisory?
Swimming in natural water bodies is always at your own risk, regardless of whether an advisory is issued.
If the health department has issued an advisory, it is because enterococci bacteria have exceeded the
acceptable level.
Can I swim or wade in the water when an advisory is posted?
That is your personal decision. The Health Department is advising you to not enter the water if the beach
is under an advisory. There is a risk of illness from contacting beach water with elevated bacteria levels in
several ways: by ingesting water, by getting water in the nose, eyes, and ears, or by water making contact
with an open wound.
For the vast majority of people, the risk of serious illness is minimal. An otherwise healthy person may
have no problems with contact with the water of a beach that is under advisory. Some may experience a
minor inflammation of a cut, a mild sore throat, or mild diarrhea after exposure to water from a beach
under advisory. The greatest risk is for very young children, the elderly and people who have
compromised immune systems since their ability to fight off infection is limited by age or disease.
Swimming in natural water bodies is always at your own risk. Natural bodies of water contain bacteria,
viruses, and other microorganisms at various levels. This advisory is for elevated bacteria levels only.
Please note that the samples were taken at the beginning of the week and reflect the water quality at that
time and are limited to the specific beach area.
Water turbidity (water cloudiness) is a good indicator of water quality. The cloudier the water the greater
the chance the bacteria level is elevated. The clearer the water the lower the bacteria count. Use good
judgment when deciding to swim in natural bodies of water.
Is it OK to eat crabs & fish from an area that is under advisory or closed to swimming?
Cooking kills bacteria and viruses, so it is generally okay to eat crabs and fish taken from these areas --
as long as they are handled properly. Fish should be washed with freshwater, kept in a cool place on ice
and then cooked thoroughly. After cooking, neither the crabs nor fish should come back into contact with
any surfaces or containers in which they were kept uncooked.
Are the beaches closed when there is an advisory?
No, the beaches are not closed. Page 2/2
What should I do after coming in contact with natural bodies of water?
Shower and wash your hands well with soap and warm water soon after swimming and before eating and
drinking. While on the beach use hand sanitizer or hand wipes before eating or drinking.
When will the local health department lift an advisory or closure?
An advisory is lifted after results are back to normal.
What do the signs look like, and where can they be located on our beaches?
Visit the Okaloosa County Health Department’s website,
www.HealthyOkaloosa.com, and click on the
“Healthy Beaches” link.
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