The Santa Rosa County Health Department (SRCHD) has issued a precautionary health advisory for all areas of the Blackwater River south of Dixon Street in Milton due to the potential public health risks resulting from a sewage overflow. 

The public is advised to avoid bodily contact with these waters until bacteriological test results confirm they are safe.   On Monday afternoon, a grease blockage in a sewage line at the southeast corner of the intersection of Broad and Dixon Streets caused an estimated 1,000 gallons of sewage to flow from a manhole into nearby surface water that is connected to the Blackwater River.   The ground near the manhole was treated with lime to disinfect the area, and water samples from the river were collected immediately for laboratory testing.  Results are expected within 2 days, and the health department will notify the public when it is safe to resume water-related activities in these areas.   

For more questions about water safety, please call the SRCHD environmental health division at 850-983-5275.