19-22-CWS | April 15, 2019
BILOXI, Miss. –Scientists from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Shellfish Monitoring Program, together with staff from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Shellfish Sanitation Program, will conduct a hydrographic dye dilution study beginning April 22, 2019. They will be tracking the flow and dispersion of wastewater discharging into Biloxi Bay from the Keegan Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
There is one 24-hour dye injection period scheduled during the study. During this time, Rhodamine WT dye will be released from Keegan Bayou WWTP beginning the morning of April 24 and will continue for 24 hours until April 25. As a result of the dye injection, portions of the upper Biloxi Bay in the general vicinity of the East Biloxi WWTP discharge, and extending to Deer Island may turn reddish in color for a brief time and will be visible from the shores. Please note that this dye is not harmful to people or the ecosystem.
Information collected during this study will be used by MDMR to evaluate the impact of wastewater discharges on shellfish growing areas and will help scientists determine where shellfish may be safely harvested.
For additional information, please contact the MDMR at 228-374-5000.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov
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