June 1, 2007 — Because of recent heavy rainfall throughout the territory, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) advises the public to refrain from swimming, fishing and bathing in coastal waters that have been impacted by storm-water runoff, according to a news release from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR).
Parents should keep children away from beaches impacted by storm water, as well as areas with manholes and storm-water flooding. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in areas impacted by storm water as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria. People should also be aware that storm-water runoff (in places such as guts, puddles and drainage basins) may contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health, the news release said.
DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and update the public. For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
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