MDEQ Extends Water Contact Advisory for Segment of Mississippi River
(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) today extended a water contact advisory that was issued November 22 for a section of the Mississippi River near Greenville. The advisory now includes the section of the river beginning near coordinates N33.354134 W91.129622 and ending at the Mississippi/Arkansas state line (see attached map). Water sampling results by MDEQ this week resulted in the extension of the advisory. The Arkansas Department of Health has extended their advisory to the US Highway 82/Highway 278 bridge over the Mississippi River. Water sampling results by MDEQ this week resulted in the extension of the advisory.
MDEQ recommends that people, and their dogs and other pets, avoid water contact such as swimming, wading, and fishing. People should also avoid eating fish or aquatic food sources taken from these waters until further notice.
The advisory is being issued due to operational issues at the City of Greenville’s wastewater treatment plant that have resulted in the discharge of minimally treated wastewater into the river. MDEQ is working with the city and the Environmental Protection Agency to address these issues. The advisory may be revised as needed.
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