GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---- The Public Health Department (PHD), and the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), both departments within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, in an update on Tuesday, will discontinue its advisory against any swimming in Great Bay at 5.30pm.
The advisory was necessary in relation to water that was pumped into Great Bay from the Great Salt Pond which started on Monday afternoon and was stopped at 5.30am Tuesday morning.
This water can be contaminated, from amongst others, rainwater runoff into the ponds which is then pumped into Great Bay in order to lower the water levels and prevent flooding in the Philipsburg area.
PHD/CPS advisory is a precautionary measure to prevent swimmers from coming into contact with any contaminated water that could pose a health risk if ingested or by skin contact, thereby making the person vulnerable to recreational water illnesses.
The public health authorities and Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), thanks the public and beach-goers for their cooperation and understanding in adhering to the advisory.