LIVE OAK, Fla. — The health advisory issued earlier this month in response to the December wastewater spill from Valdosta, Georgia, has been lifted.

The Department of Health in Suwannee, Hamilton and Madison counties lifted the advisory Thursday for along the Withlacoochee River and part of the Suwannee River.

There has been extensive river water sampling for laboratory testing completed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Health, and the Suwannee River Water Management District. The most recent lab test results indicate the river water again meets surface water quality standards for fecal-indicator bacteria confirming the public may resume water-related activities (https://www.flrules.org/gateway/notice_Files.asp?ID=17115667).

A health advisory was issued Jan. 8 for the entire Withlacoochee River in Florida and a portion of the Suwannee River from where the Withlacoochee River connects down to County Road 250 at Dowling Park. The advisory came after sampling and laboratory test results showed the river water was impacted by the sewage spill and had moved into the Withlacoochee River at the Florida/Georgia border during the last few rain falls.

The City of Valdosta reported the spill Dec. 9 of approximately 7.5 million gallons of untreated sewage that they believe began on Dec. 3 due to repair work on a major lift station.

For information pertaining to the sewage spill and the city’s remedial actions, contact the Valdosta Utilities Department Environmental Manager, Scott Fowler, at 229-259-3592 or sfowler@valdostacity.com.