September 28, 2020
For More Information Contact: Jay Duell, Environmental Health Manager, 757-514-4751
VDH ADVISES CAUTION – ELEVATED BACTERIA LEVELS FROM SHINGLE CREEK CONFLUENCE TO ROUTE 17 OF THE NANSEMOND RIVER, CITY OF SUFFOLK DUE TO SEWAGE RELEASE
Public advised to avoid water contact
(SUFFOLK, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health is 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, until further notice. This recommendation comes following the HRSD Suffolk Pump Station on Saunders Drive sewage release to Shingle Creek which began on Friday, September 19, 2020, due to excessive rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Sally.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) advised of an ongoing release on 9/19/20. For more information on the sewer line repairs which are ongoing, visit https://www.hrsd.com/newsroom.
The HRSD will continue to monitor water quality in Shingle Creek and the Nansemond River and provide results to the Virginia Department of Health in order to assess the risk to the public from the sewage that was released,” said Margaret Smigo, Waterborne Hazards Program Coordinator.
To prevent illness, people should:
- Avoid contact with any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- If you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity of Shingle Creek, the confluence of the Nansemond River with Shingle Creek (just below Route 32/Main St.) to the Route 17 Bridge (Bridge Rd.) crossing of the Nansemond River, promptly wash skin with soap and water.
- If you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody, seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure.
For more information on how to keep safe while recreating in natural bodies of water, visit www.SwimHealthyVa.com.
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