Health advisories are still in effect for certain beaches in Bay and Gulf counties. Thirty thousand gallons of untreated sewage ended up after a power failure at a lift station in Mexico Beach. Some of it made its way into the Gulf, but people were still swimming Sunday. The city has made an effort to notify beach goers but today many of them still had no idea that they could be putting their health at risk.
"If I get sick somebody's in trouble," said Richard Allen, who is irate about the situation.
Allen is visiting with his friend and family from Augusta Georgia for the 4th of July.
Little did he know there was something unhealthy lurking in the water.
"I think if I had known about it earlier I would not have been in the water," said Allen.
Last Tuesday the Bay County Health Department issued a health advisory for a mile-long stretch of beach on either side of the 8th Street canal.
Two days ago Gulf county issued the same advisory for St. Joe beach, warning that "sewage contamination of water can expose bathers to intestinal viruses, bacteria and contamination."
"These things are going to happen when there's a storm," said City Administrator Chris Hubbard. "It's unfortunate that it occurs, but the important things is that we are on top of it we've made all the necessary notifications."
The Bay County Health Department has posted signs at public access points advising people to stay out of the water. But some visitors say more should be done.
"We don't come through a public access," said Perry Chandler. "We have a private place here so there's no notifications there and there are no authorities telling us there's a problem."
"I'm a little surprised the city hasn't been out here posting some signs," said Allen. "Letting everybody know about it, so that they could decided whether they wanted to get in the water or not."
"I think its a pretty big deal I think the water should be clean when you swim in it," said Haleigh Howell.
"We've let the people knows that there is potential for a risk and we are going to get it cleaned up as soon as possible," said Hubbard.
Water samples are being tested daily and health officials say the advisories will remain in effect until the threat has passed.
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