Precautionary warning issued for high bacteria in St. Lucie River at Leighton Park

PALM CITY — The Florida Department of Health in Martin County has issued a precautionary warning to avoid contact with water at Leighton Park on the south fork of the St. Lucie River because of high bacteria levels.

Water samples collected Monday at the park on the southwest corner of the Palm Bridge showed higher-than-normal levels of enteric bacteria, an indication of fecal pollution.

Usually, a warning wouldn't be issued until a second sampling confirmed the high bacteria levels. A second sample was taken Wednesday, but because the health department office and lab were closed Thursday for the Fourth of July holiday, results won't be available until Friday.

So the department issued a "precautionary advisory" and put up warning signs at the park pending the results.

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Potential health risks for those who ingest or come in contact with the water include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.

How bad is it?

The health department considers levels above 70 enteric bacteria colonies in a 100-milliliter water sample to be unsafe. Monday's sample from Leighton Park had bacteria levels of 137 colonies.

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Two other sites sampled — Sandsprit Park near Port Salerno and the Stuart sandbar in the Indian River Lagoon between Sewall's Point and Sailfish Point each registered 10 colonies per 100 milliliter, which is in the good level.

The bacteria typically gets in waterways when heavy rains — like those in the area since Sunday — wash fecal matter from pets, livestock and wildlife into the water.

Two sites in the north fork of the St. Lucie River had acceptable bacteria levels when the most recent test results were posted June 27 by the state Health Department in St. Lucie County:

• River Park Marina: 42
• Veterans Park: 10