The Virginia Department of Health on Friday issued a recreational swimming and fish consumption advisory for surface waters, including the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers that extend to the North Carolina-Virginia border.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources also shared the advisory for public awareness of residents and visitors in the potentially affected areas of Warren, Northampton and Halifax counties near the Virginia border.
On the afternoon of Saturday, July 6, a vehicle crashed into two propane tanks located adjacent to the Nutrien Ag Solutions warehouse, which is located at 501 West Danville Street in South Hill, according to a special page set up on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s website.
One of the tanks ruptured, the propane ignited, and the resulting fire spread to and through the warehouse.
Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire polluted nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks and has flowed downstream into the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. Chemicals stored at the facility include fuel, fertilizers and herbicides.
For the safety of people and pets, the VDH advised that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, canoeing, kayaking and boating should be avoided.
Additionally, VDH recommends not consuming any fish taken from these waterways effective Saturday, July 6, until further notice.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also advises the public to take precautions to protect themselves and others against water-borne illnesses when swimming or playing in or on the water.
DWR has notified water systems with potentially impacted public water supply intakes and will continue to monitor this situation and collect samples as warranted.