LANTANA — Palm Beach County health officials are advising people near the Intracoastal Waterway in Lantana not to swim in the water or use it for irrigation, following a wastewater spill and possible bacterial contamination.
Drinking water is not affected, the department said.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a health alert Friday, Aug. 8, saying there has been a wastewater spill near East Lantana Road connected to the Intracoastal Waterway. The department provided no further details about the circumstances of the spill.
“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 … waterways,” the health department said.
Lantana officials are coordinating testing and cleanup actions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the department said.
The dangers of water contaminated with high levels of fecal bacteria include rashes, infections and disease. People coming into contact with the water are urged to wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking.
The risk is particularly acute for the children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised, and they should avoid all exposure.
For more information, call the department at 561-837-5900 or send an email to CHD50ContactUs@flhealth.gov. For after-hours questions, please call 561-881-1888.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DOH issues advisory about wastewater spill in Lantana
Reporting by Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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