Hampton, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health has closed a portion of the Back River to shellfish harvesting because of potential contamination due to a sewage spill.
A break in a sewage pipe caused a significant spill of raw sewage into the ground and into a tributary of the Northwest Branch of Back River in Hampton.
Due to the pollution hazards, shellfish taken from the area are unacceptable for consumption.
The closure will be effective from June 4- 25 and is scheduled to reopen on June 26. The Division of Shellfish Sanitation will monitor the shellfish and water quality during this period to determine if the area can be reopened sooner.
