NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
July 13, 2000 Vol. 30, No. 218
For further information, contact Melinda Carl, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 302-739-4506 or Allison Taylor Levine, Division of Public Health, 302-739-2005
Pfiesteria not found in second water test; Advisory for Pepper Creek lifted
Following yesterday's test results that showed no evidence of Pfiesteria in Pepper Creek water samples, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that results from a second test (from North Carolina laboratories) also found no Pfiesteria piscicida or Pfiesteria shumwayae in water samples taken from Pepper Creek Monday.
With no evidence of Pfiesteria in both tests, the Pfiesteria Emergency Response Management Team lifted the precautionary advisory issued Monday for water-contact activities in Pepper Creek.
Today's findings that no Pfiesteria was in Pepper Creek water samples confirmed yesterday's negative results from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The water samples were taken from Pepper Creek for analysis Monday following discovery of a fish kill of an estimated 50,000 juvenile menhaden.
The Pepper Creek fish kill and a July 6 fish kill in Bald Eagle Creek affected juvenile menhaden, which appear to have a higher population in Delaware waters this year than in recent years. Menhaden are especially susceptible to depressed oxygen levels, which is a common occurrence in area waterways during the summer. Environmental and health officials suggest that the public use common sense and avoid swimming or other water-contact sports in areas with dead or dying fish or where the water is discolored (milky or mahogany-colored). People who observe dead or dying fish are asked to report to DNREC's environmental hotline at 1-800-662-8802.
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