ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, citing heavy rainfall this week, has warned residents through a press release issued this afternoon to stay all from all the territory’s waters until further notice.
DPNR says it’s anticipating that negative environmental impacts will be caused by storm-water runoff. The agency also advised parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm water flooding. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria, according to the release.
The release further stated that all persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). The department said it would continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix.
Feature Image: An example of storm water runoff into the ocean.
Image Credit: Wikipedia.
Tags: department of planning and natural resources, dpnr, us virgin islands
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