DOH lifts bacteria advisory for North Fork of the St. Lucie River

Ed Killer, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·1 min read

The Florida Department of Health office in St. Lucie County announced Wednesday it had lifted a health advisory for the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Samples taken June 12 showed satisfactory test results for levels of enteric bacteria in the river at River Park Marina. The advisory had been in effect since June 2, and the area will be tested biweekly.

Zachary Hansman, of Port St. Lucie, heads out on the water from the C-24 Canal Park boat ramp on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Port St. Lucie. The C-24 Canal is likely to receive a water pollution Kilroy monitor because of record state funding this year. The nonprofit Ocean Research & Conservation Association plans to place the Kilroys in canals that drain stormwater runoff laden with fertilizer and other pollutants from western farmlands and development into the Indian River Lagoon.

“Enteric bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, and their presence in recreational waters is an indicator of fecal pollution,” an agency news release said. “The presence of these bacteria may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.”

Visit the DOH-St. Lucie website for results of county beach and river samples. Contact the environmental health division at 772-873-4931 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DOH lifts bacteria advisory for North Fork of the St. Lucie River