The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County has issued a water quality advisory for nine coastal parks after tests found elevated Enterococcus bacteria levels.
The advisory covers South Inlet Park, Red Reef Park and Spanish River in Boca Raton; Sandoway-Delray Beach in Delray Beach; Lake Worth-Kreusler in Palm Beach; and DuBois Lagoon, DuBois Park, Carlin Park and Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter.
According to the department, samples collected during regular monitoring exceeded state guidelines for recreational water quality. Testing completed Monday, Oct. 19, found that the water did not meet recreational criteria for Enterococcus bacteria.
Health officials are advising people not to take part in water-related activities at the affected locations because swimmers face an increased risk of illness. The advisory, issued Tuesday, Oct. 20, will remain in place until bacteria levels fall below the accepted health level.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Enterococcus bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including people, and can indicate possible fecal-waste contamination in surface water.
