MDEQ Issues Water Contact Advisory for Water Bodies in Gulfport
(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a water contact advisory Tuesday for several water bodies in Gulfport. The advisory includes the Industrial Seaway and Bernard Bayou from Highway 49 to the mouth of Big Lake.
The advisory is being issued due to breaches in two force mains in the City of Gulfport. The force main breach at Crossroads Parkway has been contained. There is still flow from the main located on Glascock Drive. The city has reported to MDEQ a discharge so far of approximately 500,000 gallons lost. The city is using pump trucks and bypassing the flow to a nearby 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. MDEQ is also taking samples at beach monitoring sites in Gulfport to ensure that discharge has not affected the Mississippi Sound.
# # #
