The Virginia Department of Health is advising the public to avoid natural water bodies across the commonwealth after large rain events like Hurricane Helene, which brought heavy rainfall across the state, especially toward the western parts of the state.
During heavy rainfall and flooding, pollution and debris from the land washes into rivers, lakes and streams and eventually winds up in our coastal waterways. Pet, livestock, and wildlife wastes, as well as untreated wastewater from sewage treatment plants that are overloaded by an excess of rainwater, can all end up in natural waters used for recreation and pose risks to human health, according to a VDH press release.
“Rain events occurred after Helene passed, adding to the already high rain totals,” stated Danielle Schools, division director of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards. “Localized heavy rain is continuing currently across parts of the state today and tomorrow.”
People should always count three days after significant rain events to ensure flood waters have receded.
“We’re looking for three consecutive days of no rain being that flood waters are still dissipating throughout various regions of the state,” Schools stated. “The public needs to be mindful that river systems connect to other larger water bodies, and several days need to pass to allow bacterial slugs to flush from the natural water bodies.”
To stay safe, all Virginians should:
- Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
- Never swallow untreated water, and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
- Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
- Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
- Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
- Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
- Avoid any area where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
- If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
- Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.
For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2). The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.
