JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tests of the water in a Westside creek detected human waste and other pollutants at levels that make the creek a health hazard.

Fishweir Creek, east of Roosevelt Boulevard, is normally a popular fishing spot, but test findings have changed that.

People who live and work near the creek told Channel 4 they have smelled a nasty stench coming from the water.

"There's some kind of not-so-pleasant smell coming from the creek," said Ann Goodge, who co-owns an antique furniture store in the heart of Avondale next to Fishweir Creek.

"Can you smell? It's nasty. When the wind blows, it's a poopie smell," said one Avondale patron.

What people in the area are smelling is raw, untreated sewage.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection, fecal coliform levels, or basically raw sewage levels, are considered safe in a river at 200 colonies per 100 milliliters. A high level would be 800 colonies per 100 milliliters.

Based on tests, Fishweir Creek's level of fecal coliform is 1700 colonies per 100 milliliters -- more than eight times more than the safe standard -- making it a health hazard.

"Fishweir is kind of an example of what a lot of our streams are facing -- elevated counts of bacteria from septic tanks or sewage overflows," said Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon.

The Army Corps of Engineers said they don't know how to fix the problem, but that they are working on it.

"I feel bad for the people in the neighborhood that have to live with this full time," Armingeon said.

Experts said smelling the water is not bad for residents, but that they should not drink the water or allow pets to drink the water. Also, any fish caught in the creek should be thrown back and not consumed.