The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has warned residents in both island districts to use caution if they chose to venture to the territory’s beaches to fish or swim this weekend, as D.P.N.R.’s Division of Environmental Protection anticipates that negative environmental impacts will be caused by storm water runoff.
In a press release issued this morning, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency said that the territory would be impacted with thunderstorms and lightning, and all throughout the day, torrential rainfall affected the islands.
DPNR said the public should use caution when using the coastal waters throughout the territory until further notification. The agency 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, DPNR said.
All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). DPNR 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 or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
Tags: department of planning and natural resources, dpnr, storm water runoff
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