MDEQ Issues Water Contact Advisory for Water Bodies in Gulfport Area
(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a water contact advisory Tuesday for several water bodies in the Gulfport area. Out of an abundance of caution, the advisory includes Gulfport Lake, the Industrial Seaway, Bernard Bayou, and into Big Lake to Popps Ferry Road.
The advisory is being issued due to a wastewater force main break near Bernard Bayou and Carl Leggett Road in the City of Gulfport. There is currently no estimate of the amount of discharge. The city is using pump trucks and bypassing the flow to a manhole to capture as much flow as possible while repairs are being made.
MDEQ recommends that people avoid water contact such as swimming, wading, and fishing in these sections under an advisory. People should also avoid eating fish or anything else taken from these waters until further notice.
MDEQ staff is monitoring the water quality in the area, and the advisory may be revised after that work is completed.
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