Tag: recreational water advisory

Cumberland Plateau Health District Issues Recreational Water Advisory

March 20, 2025

For questions about the health advisory, contact:
Brian Stanley, Environmental Health Manager, Sr., Cumberland Plateau Health District
276-415-3370, brian.stanley@vdh.virginia.gov

For questions about the sewer main repairs, contact:
Buchanan County Public Service Authority
276-935-5828

Cumberland Plateau Health District Issues Recreational Water Advisory

LEBANON, Va. – The Cumberland Plateau Health District recommends that people and pets avoid contact with a portion of the Levisa River and Slate Creek located in Buchanan County due to an ongoing sewage overflow from sewer mains that were damaged by recent flooding. Activities to repair the sewer mains are ongoing, weather permitting.

This health advisory extends along the Levisa River from 0.5-miles east of Anchorage Shopping Center along U.S. HWY 460 to the Kentucky state line and portions of Slate Creek from the Buchanan County Department of Social Services on Route 83 downstream to the Levisa River in Buchanan County. The length of the affected waterways in Virginia is approximately 24 miles. For concerns in Kentucky, please contact the Pike County Health Department at 606-437-5500.

Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water also can cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin.  For your safety, humans and pets should avoid contact with the affected portions of the Levisa River and Slate Creek until the sewer mains have been repaired and the advisory is lifted.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, call 276-935-4591 or see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River

August 1, 2024
Media contacts:
For recreational water advisory: Brookie Crawford, VDH,  brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
For sewer main repairs: Rhonda Johnson, COR DPU, rhonda.johnson@rva.gov
For water quality testing:  Irina Calos, DEQ, Irina.Calos@deq.virginia.gov

VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River
Public Can Resume All Recreational Activities

RICHMOND, Va. – Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County.

The advisory was issued July 17, out of an abundance of caution due to a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River. The situation has been actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH.

Water quality sampling results collected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on July 29 and July 30 indicate bacteria concentrations in the James River in the prior advisory area are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.

To stay safe while recreating in natural waters the public should:

  • Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
  • Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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VDH Lifts Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories for Mountain Creek, Dockery Creek, Roanoke River to Lake Gaston

July 24, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

VDH Lifts Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories for Mountain Creek, Dockery Creek, Roanoke River to Lake Gaston
No public health impacts are present.

RICHMOND, Va. – Effectively immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the recreational water and fish consumption advisories for Mountain Creek, Dockery Creek, and the Roanoke River, to include Lake Gaston, to the North Carolina state line.

VDH considered several factors prior to lifting these advisories to protect public safety, to include field observations from environmental field staff, weather conditions (rainfall), and surface water sampling to monitor concentrations of contaminants. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been testing these creeks and river since the event to assist in the evaluation of the impacts of these chemicals on public health. Based on the above factors, recreational use and fish consumption activities may resume.

The advisories were issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill on July 6. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire created a plume which traversed along the nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks. Chemicals stored at the facility included fuel, fertilizers, herbicides and many others. The site has since been fully contained eliminating chemicals from the incident entering the environment.

For updates on the situation, please visit the South Hill Warehouse Fire incident webpage.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.

To stay safe while recreating and fishing in state waters the public should:

  • Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
  • Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the James River from Manchester Bridge to Osborne Landing Due to Sewage Release

July 17, 2024
Media contact (recreational water advisory): Brookie Crawford, VDH,  brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Media contact (sewer main repairs): Rhonda Johnson, COR DPU, rhonda.johnson@rva.gov

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the James River from Manchester Bridge to Osborne Landing Due to Sewage Release
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

RICHMOND, Va. – Effectively immediately, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, and whitewater kayaking (where submersion in the water is likely), should be avoided. The advisory is issued out of an abundance of caution due to an ongoing sewage release from a City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (COR DPU) sewer pipe.

On July 16, a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River, was first reported to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and VDH. The situation is being actively monitored by both DEQ and VDH. The advisory will be lifted once bacteria levels are at levels acceptable for recreational contact.

The COR DPU is in the process of shutting down the pipeline and making assessments. Repairs will begin as soon as possible. DEQ is conducting water sampling along the James River to assist VDH in determining advisory updates. Additional samples will be taken once the sewer repair is complete.

Map of Recreational Water Advisory
The advisory extends from the James River at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond to Osborne Landing in Henrico County

To ensure public safety in this high-recreational use waterbody, the advisory extends from the James River at the Manchester Bridge (9th Street) in the City of Richmond to Osborne Landing in Henrico County (approximately 12 miles of the James River). Public access points to the James River in the impacted area include Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, Dock Street Park, Wharf Street/Intermediate Terminal, Ancarrow’s Landing, and Osborne Landing.

Activities, which are not likely to result in water submersion (boating, fishing, canoeing), may continue with proper caution to avoid contact with the water.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time. The Richmond drinking water intake is upstream from the impacted site and remains unaffected.

Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, or fever. Contact with contaminated water can also cause infections of the ears, nose, throat, and skin.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to the sewage release event, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 VDH Issues Advisories for Recreational Water, Fish Consumption for Lick Creek in Wise and Russell Counties

July 12, 2024
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Or Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

 VDH Issues Advisories for Recreational Water, Fish Consumption for Lick Creek in Wise and Russell Counties
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

ST. PAUL, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory for Lick Creek from the 628 bridge to the confluence with the Clinch River. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming and wading, be avoided in this area of the waterway. VDH is also issuing a fish consumption advisory, recommending not consuming any fish taken from the Lick Creek headwaters to its confluence with the Clinch River. Advisories are effective Friday, July 11 until further notice.

The advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution due to an ongoing release of an unknown substance with unknown origin. While the substance being released is suspected as human sewage, other contaminants such as oil/petroleum cannot be ruled out at this time.

Due to the uncertainty of the substance being release which is ongoing, VDH is still learning what adverse health effects someone may experience. Touching the liquid substance, which is a dark liquid with a strong sewage odor, or consuming contaminated fish taken from the waterway, are ways the public may be exposed. It is advised to stay away from the impacted area and to contact your medical practitioner if you feel like you have been affected.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to chemical release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with Lick Creek from the 628 bridge to the confluence with the Clinch River and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
  • Follow the fish consumption advisories in place for impacted waterways and to avoid eating any fish with oily residue, lesions, or odor.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” and other materials at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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 VDH Adds Meherrin, Roanoke Rivers to Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories

July 11, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

 VDH Adds Meherrin, Roanoke Rivers to Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is extending its recreational water advisory and its fish consumption advisory to include the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and boating should be avoided. Additionally, VDH recommends not consuming any fish taken from these waterways effective Saturday, July 6 until further notice.

The advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill Saturday, July 6. The advisories are extended to include the Meherrin River from its confluence with Mountain Creek to the North Carolina state line and the Roanoke River (Lake Gaston) from its confluence with Dockery Creek to the North Carolina state line. The advisories for Dockery and Mountain creeks remain in effect.

Map of advisory area
The fish consumption and recreation advisory extends from the location of the warehouse fire off Route 1 in South Hill to two impacted watersheds (Roanoke River and Meherrin River).

On the afternoon of July 6, an industrial fire occurred at a chemical storage facility located in the center of the town of South Hill. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire has polluted nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks and has flowed downstream into the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. Chemicals stored at the facility include fuel, fertilizers, herbicides, and many others. For updates on the situation, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality website.

Due to the variety of chemicals involved VDH is still learning what adverse health effects someone may experience. Ingesting, touching, or breathing chemicals released during the incident are ways the public may be exposed. It is advised to stay away from the impacted area and to contact your medical practitioner if you feel like you have been affected.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to chemical release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 VDH Issues Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories for Dockery and Mountain Creeks

July 9, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

 VDH Issues Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories for Dockery and Mountain Creeks
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory and a fish consumption advisory for Dockery and Mountain creeks. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and boating should be avoided. Additionally, VDH recommends not consuming any fish taken from these waterways effective Saturday, July 6 until further notice.

The advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill Saturday, July 6. The advisories extend from the location of the fire off Route 1 in South Hill to approximately 10 miles north and south of the two impacted watersheds (Roanoke River and Meherrin River). From Route 1 in South Hill; the headwaters of Dockery Creek to its confluence with the Roanoke River to the south and the headwaters of Mountain Creek to the Meherrin River at Route 138 (Union Mill Road) to the north.

On the afternoon of July 6, an industrial fire occurred at a chemical storage facility located in the center of the town of South Hill. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire has polluted nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks. Chemicals stored at the facility include fuel, fertilizers, herbicides and many others. For updates on the situation, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality website.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

Due to the variety of chemicals involved VDH is still learning what adverse health effects someone may experience. Ingesting, touching, or breathing chemicals released during the incident are ways the public may be exposed. It is advised to stay away from the impacted area and to contact your medical practitioner if you feel like you have been affected.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to chemical release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” and other materials at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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Cumberland Plateau Health District Lifts Recreational Water Advisory Impacting Portion of Levisa River

April 10, 2023

For questions about the health advisory:
Allison Phillips, Population Health Manager, Cumberland Plateau Health District, allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov

For questions about the sewer main repairs:
Buchanan County Public Service Authority
(276) 935-5828

Cumberland Plateau Health District Lifts Recreational Water Advisory Impacting Portion of Levisa River

LEBANON, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health and Cumberland Plateau Health District has lifted the Recreational Water Advisory for a portion of the Levisa River in Buchanan County. Earlier this year, flooding caused sewage overflows which resulted in repairs being needed to the sewer mains. As a result of the elevated bacteria levels from the sewage overflow, a Recreational Water Advisory was put into effect along the Levisa River from Oakwood downstream to the Kentucky state line in Buchanan County.

Repairs are complete and downstream sampling of the Levisa River indicates bacterial levels are now below levels requiring the advisory. For more information on recreational water safety, call 276-935-4591 or see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory in Portion of Levisa River

February 28, 2023

Media Contact: Allison Phillips, Population Health Manager, Cumberland Plateau Health District, VDH allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov

 

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory in Portion of Levisa River 

(LEBANON, Va.) The Virginia Department of Health’s Cumberland Plateau Health District recommends that people and pets avoid contact with a portion of the Levisa River in Buchanan County due to an ongoing sewage overflow from sewer mains damaged by recent flooding. Activities to repair the sewer mains are ongoing, weather permitting.

The health advisory extends along the Levisa River from Oakwood downstream to the Kentucky state line in Buchanan County. The length of the affected waterway is approximately 26 miles.

Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water also can cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin.  For your safety, humans and pets should avoid contact with the affected portions of the Levisa River until the sewer mains have been repaired and the advisory is lifted.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, call 276-935-4591 or see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.