October 2, 2020
For More Information Contact: Jay Duell, Environmental Health Manager, 757-514-4751
SEWAGE RELEASE ON 9/18/20 NO LONGER IMPACTING BACTERIA LEVELS ON SHINGLE CREEK TO THE CONFLUENCE OF ROUTE 17 OF THE NANSEMOND RIVER, CITY OF SUFFOLK
Public may resume recreational activities on the water bodies in this vicinity
(SUFFOLK, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health is no longer recommending an abundance of caution when recreating in the vicinity of Shingle Creek, the confluence of the Nansemond River with Shingle Creek (just below Route 32/Main Street) to the Route 17 Bridge (Bridge Road) crossing of the Nansemond River. Recent laboratory results indicate a return to bacteria levels typical for these water bodies.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) advised of an ongoing sewage release on 9/18/20, due to excessive rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Sally. For more information on the sewer line repairs, visit www.hrsd.com/newsroom.
While water testing indicates the water bodies are no longer affected by the sewage release, bacteria levels of Shingle Creek and its confluence with the Nansemond River tend to be higher than state thresholds for recreational use. VDH recommends the following steps to prevent illness while recreating in any natural waters by:
- Avoiding contact with any area of the water body where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- Avoiding recreational activities that may result in ingestion of water in natural waterways for at least three days following rain events.
- Whenever you have recreated in natural waterways, promptly wash exposed areas with soap and water.
- If you have underlying health conditions that affect your immune system, you may be more susceptible to infections while recreating because there is likely to be some level of bacteria, parasites, and possibly viruses present in natural bodies of water.
- If you experience adverse health effects after contact with the water body, seek medical care and notify your health practitioner of the water body exposure.
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