Health advisory lifted for Soundside beach

The Santa Rosa County Health Department lifted an advisory mandated last week after water sample tests showed unusually high levels of bacteria in the water.

Environmental health officials were performing routine tests on March 15 when they discovered an increase in enterococcus bacteria.

The presence of enteric bacteria, which often results after periods of heavy rainfall, is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm-water runoff, pets, marine wildlife, and human sewage.

According to a press release distributed by health department officials last week, contact with water at this site did pose an increased risk of infectious disease.

Dennis Bratten, an environmental specialist with the health department, said when elevated samples are observed, protocol dictates that officials retest the water to confirm results before issuing warnings.

"We tested the water on Monday, and took another sample 48 hours later on Wednesday, just to be sure," he said.  "In this case, both samples came back high, which prompted us to issue the alert."

Bratten emphasized that there is no cause for panic; advisories are meant to inform.

"It is not an ongoing problem and it's certainly not an indication of something more sinister," he said.  "This is why we conduct routine tests."

According to Jeff Etheridge, also an environmental specialist, tests are conducted each week at Shoreline Park, Woodlawn Beach, Navarre Beach West, Homeport, Navarre Park at Highway 98, Navarre Beach Pier and Juana's Beach. 

In extreme cases, like the one last week, alerts are released immediately and officials are required to post signage warning the public of the recent findings.