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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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Document no. 40-01/00/07/14
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