81.4 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeCommunityEnvironmentDPNR Announces Important Storm Water and Beach Advisory

DPNR Announces Important Storm Water and Beach Advisory

Dorsch Beach

The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that due to the impact and continuing effects of Hurricane Maria, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) anticipates that negative environmental impacts will be caused by storm-water runoff, high surf zones and anticipated sewer system overflows.

DPNR advises the public to use caution when using the coastal waters throughout the territory until further notification.  It is also advising 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. 

Also, all persons should be aware that storm water runoff due to hurricanes and tropical storms may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health due to storm debris; therefore, all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles and drainage basins).

DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.

For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.