People have been asked to stay away from the water at 13 locations in three Florida counties, after elevated levels of enteric bacteria have been found.
Coming in contact with the polluted water could cause diarrhea, an upset stomach and eye or skin irritation.
Florida officials have urged residents and visitors to avoid more than a dozen beaches and waterways because of fears of a bacteria spike. This type of bacteria is commonly found after heavy rainfall because of fecal pollution in runoff.
The avoid-water advisories affect 13 beaches, parks and marinas in St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties:
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
River Park Marina
Veterans Park
Westmoreland Park (Sandpiper Bay canoe launch)
MARTIN COUNTY
Stuart Sandbar
Sandsprit Park
Stuart Causeway
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Boynton Beach
Carlin Park
Dubois Park
Jupiter Beach Park
Ocean Inlet Park
Phil Foster Park
South Inlet Park
The exact source of this bacteria is unknown. Although these beaches have not been closed to public, officials strongly advise against swimming in the water until bacteria levels are lowered.
Coming in contact with the bacteria polluted water could cause diarrhea, an upset stomach and eye or skin irritation.