A wastewater spill on Singer Island has put a temporary red flag over affected Riviera Beach waterways just as residents and visitors are heading toward another South Florida weekend. Palm Beach County health officials are urging people to avoid swimming and irrigation in the area while crews test the water and clean up. Tap water, officials say, is not part of the problem.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a health alert, no-swim advisory and no-irrigation advisory Thursday after a spill entered Park Avenue from Lift Station 10 on Singer Island. The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County said Riviera Beach is coordinating water-quality testing and cleanup with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
WPTV reported that the wastewater spill originated from a lift station on Singer Island and entered local waterways through Park Avenue. The advisory is precautionary while officials determine whether bacterial contamination is present, so residents and visitors are being told to avoid contact with the affected water.
What The Advisory Means For Swimmers And Residents
The health department warns that water with high levels of fecal bacteria can cause illness, infections and skin rashes. Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face greater risk, and officials say those groups should avoid exposure altogether. Anyone who gets into the affected water should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking, according to the county health department.
Residents with questions about possible health effects can call the Palm Beach County health department at 561-837-5900, or 561-881-1888 after hours. The warning applies to contact with affected waterways and irrigation, while drinking water remains safe, WPTV noted.
Another Riviera Beach Water Advisory Arrived In July
This is the second wastewater-related health alert issued for Riviera Beach in less than a month. On July 8, the City of Riviera Beach said a separate spill near Garden Road and the C-17 Canal had prompted its own no-swim and no-irrigation advisory, while also stating that drinking water was not affected.
The two alerts involve different locations, and the public notices do not say they are connected. For the latest Singer Island spill, the immediate guidance is straightforward: stay out of the affected waterways until officials provide more information.
