Heavy Rains Raise Risk Of Unhealthy Water
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is reminding beachgoers that heavy rains raise the risk of unhealthy water in the bay and other waterways.
Alison Prost, the foundation's Maryland Executive Director, says summer thunderstorms flush pollution into creeks, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. That means bacteria from failing septic systems, pet waste or livestock manure can end up in waters used for swimming and other water activities. The bay foundation says the solution to the problem is reducing pollution and improving stormwater systems so they slow runoff and treat it before it reaches waterways.
Beachgoers can check on current conditions using the Maryland Healthy Beaches website administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The site provides advisories and rainfall data for Maryland beaches.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
