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HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX) – Residents are urged to avoid the Whitewater River and Great Miami River due to an active sewage discharge impacting the waterways, according to an alert issued Thursday by Hamilton County Public Health.
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission alerted officials Wednesday that an unknown amount of untreated municipal wastewater is being released into the Whitewater River from a treatment plant in Connersville, Indiana, after severe storms and flooding.
Consuming contaminated water can cause E. coli and cryptosporidiosis infections in humans, leading to diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
Hamilton County Public Health advises the following:
Do not swim, boat or play in or near potentially contaminated waterways. Monitor children and pets closely, as they may be more likely to ingest water while playing.Avoid letting bare skin come into contact with contaminated water. Wash hands, clothing and footwear thoroughly if you need to be in these areas. Read HCPH’s fact sheet about E. coli.Read HCPH’s fact sheet about Cryptosporidium
Health officials learned of the situation Thursday and issued an alert.
The Whitewater River flows through western Hamilton County and into the Great Miami River.
People should avoid the water south of the confluence out of an abundance of caution, officials said.
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