April 26, 2007 — As a result of recent heavy rainfall throughout the territory, the Division of Environmental Protection is warning the public that it could be unhealthy to swim, fish or bathe in waters affected by storm-water run-off due to increased concentrations of bacteria from the runoff.
A release from Planning and Natural Resources, the agency that Environmental Protection falls under, specifically asks parents to keep children away from storm-water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm-water flooding.
All persons should also be aware that storm-water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm-water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins).
DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and update the public, the release said. For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.
