PalmBeachCounty, Fla. – Due to a recent wastewater spill into the Intracoastal Waterway near 1629 Royal Palm Way, Boca Raton, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County today issued a health alert, and no swim advisory to residents and visitors near the area. Drinkingwater is not affected.

Until further information is known regarding possible bacterial contamination, residents and visitors in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Intracoastal Waterway near 1629 Royal Palm Way, Boca Raton in Palm Beach County. The City of Boca Raton is coordinating testing and cleanup actions with the Florida Department of Environmental  Protection.

Water contaminated with elevated fecal bacteria presents several health risks to humans. Microbes in fecal bacteria could cause gastrointestinal  issues  and  other  conditions.

Anyone who comes into contact with the water in this area should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to disease,  so every precaution should be taken if    needed.

For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, Floridians are encouraged to contact DOH-Palm Beach at 561-837-5900 or  chd50contactus@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally  accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board,  works to  protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and  community efforts.

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