ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9602020035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
The state Department of Health has temporarily banned shellfishing on the James River because raw sewage washed into the water during recent flooding has pushed pollution levels above safe limits.
The ban went into effect Tuesday, forcing several oyster boats and clamming vessels off the river.
Samples from oyster-growing areas of the James revealed more than 1,100 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. The maximum level for safe shellfishing is 14 per 100 milliliters of water, said Robert Croonenberghs, director of Virginia's Division of Shellfish Sanitation.
Croonenberghs blamed overflows at Richmond's wastewater treatment plant on the James. The plant released about 50 million gallons a day of untreated sewage between Jan. 20 and Jan. 22 as snow melt and rainfall flooded the river and submerged much of the treatment works, said Ralph Vazquez of Richmond's wastewater utility administration.
But Vazquez discounted the effect of Richmond's sewage overflows, saying the flooded river diluted the sewage overflow.
Croonenberghs did not know how long the ban would last. ``If we get a lot of rain, it is going to continue,'' he said.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB