The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a water contact advisory for a portion of Sand Creek in Oktibbeha County after a line blockage released 15,000 gallons of wastewater into the area.
The advisory extends from the headwaters of the unnamed tributary that flows south of Highway 182 to the North Farm, on to the confluence with Sand Creek northeast of the Starkville Ford-Lincoln car dealership, then southeast past Highland Plantation, until the confluence with the northern tributary of Sand Creek south of East Starkville Church and Greenland Road, a MDEQ release states.
A blockage near Mississippi State University’s wastewater pumping station in the North Farm area caused wastewater to enter the area, the release states.
Starkville maintenance workers finished repairs, the release states, but MDEQ recommends people avoid contacting the water through swimming, wading and fishing. The department also advises residents not to eat fish or anything else taken from the waters until further notice.
“MDEQ will monitor the water quality in the creek and will revise the advisory as needed,” the release states.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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