July 11, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
VDH Adds Meherrin, Roanoke Rivers to Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories
Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is extending its recreational water advisory and its fish consumption advisory to include the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and boating should be avoided. Additionally, VDH recommends not consuming any fish taken from these waterways effective Saturday, July 6 until further notice.
The advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill Saturday, July 6. The advisories are extended to include the Meherrin River from its confluence with Mountain Creek to the North Carolina state line and the Roanoke River (Lake Gaston) from its confluence with Dockery Creek to the North Carolina state line. The advisories for Dockery and Mountain creeks remain in effect.
On the afternoon of July 6, an industrial fire occurred at a chemical storage facility located in the center of the town of South Hill. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire has polluted nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks and has flowed downstream into the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. Chemicals stored at the facility include fuel, fertilizers, herbicides, and many others. For updates on the situation, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality website.
Due to the variety of chemicals involved VDH is still learning what adverse health effects someone may experience. Ingesting, touching, or breathing chemicals released during the incident are ways the public may be exposed. It is advised to stay away from the impacted area and to contact your medical practitioner if you feel like you have been affected.
To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to chemical release events, people should:
- Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
- Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
- Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
- Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
For more information on recreational water safety, see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” and other materials at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
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