FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ron Dawsey or Mark Sestak
(334) 206-5375
Scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with staff from the Alabama Department of Public Health, will conduct a dye tracing study in Grand Bay and Portersville Bay from March 10–13 at the Bayou La Batre (Buford Bryant) Wastewater Treatment Plant. The purpose of the study is to determine if outflow from the wastewater treatment plant into Grand Bay and Portersville Bay has an impact on nearby shellfish harvesting waters.
As part of the study, Rhodamine WT dye, which is harmless to people and the ecosystem, will be released from the wastewater treatment plant on Monday, March 10. This will result in portions of the tidal waters in Grand Bay and Portersville Bay turning reddish in color during the day on Monday.
The state and FDA will monitor the tidal flow in an effort to track the dispersion of the dye from the wastewater treatment plant.
Once the study is complete, FDA will produce a report with dispersion maps from the wastewater treatment plant’s diffuser into Grand Bay and Portersville Bay. This information will
ultimately help ensure the safety of shellfish harvested from these waters for human consumption.
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