Jackson, Miss– Two water contact warnings have been issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality after bad samples, MDEQ officials announced.
Through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued the first water contact advisory Friday for sampling station 15 in Ocean Springs.
This segment of beach is not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in this area.
MDEQ is working closely with local officials to advise residents that the water from Station 15 — Shearwater Beach near Holcomb Blvd. in Ocean Springs, which runs from Weeks Bayou eastward to Ashley Place, may have high bacteria levels.
The second water contact advisory was issued Saturday for sampling station 10 in Gulfport. This segment of beach is not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in this area. The samples were taken from Station 10 — Gulfport Central Beach — from Alfonso Dr. east to Arkansas Ave.
When water samples show that levels are safe for human contact, the advisory will be lifted. Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming not occur during or within 24 hours of a significant rainfall event.
